Sarah Wins Tylney’s Top Employee Award

After working her way up the career ladder to become head receptionist at Tylney Hall, Sarah McMeeken decided to spread her wings and explore pastures new. But after just three months she realised the grass is not always greener and wanted to return.

Luckily for Sarah there was a vacancy for an Assistant Manager and she stepped back into a new role at the country house hotel at Rotherwick, near Hook, where she has now been named Employee of the Year 2009.

Sarah said: “I started at Tylney Hall in 2005 as a receptionist and I loved being the first person guests met when they checked in and then seeing them again on departure. After becoming head receptionist I decided to leave in June 2008 to explore other opportunities, but that only lasted 12 weeks as I missed Tylney Hall so much and wanted to come back. I was very fortunate to be offered the job of Assistant Manager, a role that is both varied and exciting.”

Mainly working as a Duty Manager, Sarah is also line manager for the salon and spa, looks after the hotel’s stationery requirements, is responsible for on-site staff housing and helps conduct the staff induction and service excellence course.

“Winning the award was a complete surprise,” she said. “It is a real honour and I am very lucky that I work with an incredible team who have taught me so much. I love the fact that in my new role I am able to work with members of staff in all the departments, which makes every working day different.”

Members of staff at the hotel are nominated for the annual award by their department heads and Sarah won a two-night stay at a top London hotel, with tickets for a theatre show of her choice. Tylney Hall General Manager, Mark Ashton, presented her with the award.

Mr Ashton said said: “Tylney Hall has won many tourism industry awards over the years, and most recently been named Country House Hotel of the Year in The Times Mystery Guest Awards for 2009.  All of these accolades are due to team work and the ongoing commitment of the members of staff, whether they are front of house like Sarah or working behind the scenes, and this is why we like to recognise them with our own internal awards.”