International Women’s Day is a worldwide event which celebrates women’s’ achievements across the years. It will be taking place on March 8th and is a chance to showcase the success stories and opportunities for women. Within our hospitality industry, there are plenty of women who are leading the way. At The Mere, we have plenty of talented women who are managing departments across the resort, along with a female-led Senior Management Team. We caught up with our team of leading ladies at The Mere to find out more on the role they play at The Mere and why they love what they do…

Louise Longden-Scott –Financial Controller

Tell us about your role at The Mere…

I am a Senior manager at the Mere and Head of the Finance Department. I look after a team of four and oversee all of the accounts function for The Mere. I produce reports and forecasts on a weekly basis and prepare the management accounts every period to help the HODs and General Manager to run the business as effectively as possible. I ensure that proper procedures are followed and am currently in the process of updating the accounting software and purchasing systems.

Why do you love working in the hospitality industry? 

This is a niche role for accounts as the business is made up of so many different parts making it a very interesting and sometimes challenging sector to work in. Every day is different with new people to meet and issues to resolve. It is a beautiful place to work with friendly team members which is why I have worked here for 6 and ½ years.

Gail Simpson – Housekeeping Manager

Tell us about your role at The Mere…

My role involves making sure that all public areas are looking good, clean and maintained, checking rooms for the guest, allocating any special requests for the guests arriving that day, helping the team reach their goals to get rooms back on time.

Why do you love working in the hospitality industry? 

 I love hospitality because I like to meet new people and engage with them, every guest is different and has a different story to tell, I enjoy the buzz in housekeeping and the way we all work together to get the job done. Hard Work is FUN!

Alice Cox-Cooper –Membership Manager

Tell us about your role at The Mere…

As Membership Manager I look after over 1700 Golf & Spa members on a day-to-day basis. This includes joining up new members and driving new enquiries; overseeing membership renewals; organising social events, and promoting the wider resort facilities. In my position I am also frequently required to deal with members’ feedback and to ensure it is used to continuously improve the service and facilities that we offer.

Why do you love working in the hospitality industry? 

I love working in hospitality because no two days are the same. I feel lucky to walk into such a beautiful place each day and enjoy being surrounded by people when they are relaxing and enjoying their leisure time.

Zoe Wesson – Meeting & Events Assistant Manager

Tell us about your role at The Mere…

As Conference and Events Assistant Manager every day is different, one weekend you can run an event for up to 550 people, and the next weekend running someone’s special wedding day. Being a part of any event is special and making it the best it can possibly be is the most rewarding feeling.

Why do you love working in the hospitality industry? 

Every day is different, someone new to meet, a new type of event to run and the people you work alongside are like a family. People ask us about working long and unsociable hours, but nothing compares to the rewards you get from going above and beyond for clients and their guests.

Janice Crosbie – Commercial Office Manager

Tell us about your role at The Mere…

Every day is different. The main focus is to ensure the customers on site have a fantastic experience, and want to return. To forward plan, and look to yield and maximise on revenue, driving The Mere forward. To be innovative and work with Team Mere, to ensure Mere are at the front of people’s minds when looking for business. To produce weekly forecast, monthly, 3 month and yearly forecast to enable the business to plan accordingly to drive sales into the resort.

Why do you love working in the hospitality industry? 

You get to make people’s day and make them smile. At the end of a long day there is nothing better that having a client thank you for making it the best day of their lives, or for making it a great success. The hospitality business is all about people, and as well as being a people oriented industry, it also allows you to be innovative and creative, to deliver ideas for new ways of making it the best experience for your customers. You get to meet and interact with people for different backgrounds. No day is ever the same! There is plenty of opportunity for career progression within hospitality, you can easily stay with the same employer and move between roles, to gain a wider experience.

Clair Smith – HR Manager

Tell us about your role at The Mere…

There are the usual daily activities such as emails, phone calls and meetings, but every day is different in HR and you have to stay on your toes. One day I might be inducting new team members or delivering training on our policies and procedures and the next, I could be working within the team to resolve a conflict or support someone with a personal issue. Of course, I need to do my homework to make sure I’m up to date with the latest employment legislation.

Why do you love working in the hospitality industry? 

The people. In my role you meet so many interesting people from different backgrounds and countries, and over the years, I’ve met some real characters and had some fantastic dinner table stories to tell – although I would never name names. I also love seeing the enjoyment guests get from a spa break or overnight stay.

Johanne Evans – Front OFFICE Manager

Tell us about your role at The Mere…

My role includes managing the front reception, concierge and guest services. My role can vary each day from checking in and out guests, to billing enquiries, dealing with guest feedback and also general duties. My favourite part of the role is dealing with guests who have enjoyed their stay or here for a special occasion. I like ensuring that their stay goes well and they leave wanting to come back.

Why do you love working in the hospitality industry? 

I have worked in hospitality since the age of 14 and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I love that the industry is so diverse and can take me anywhere around the world. I have worked in conference and events, restaurant, reception and also housekeeping in my early days. Each role has its ups and downs but the main thing which keeps me in the industry is the interaction with all types of guests daily.

Kimberley Avery  – Events Supervisor

Tell us about your role at The Mere…

I am the Events Supervisor & my job involves overseeing the events & corporate golf team. It is my responsibility to ensure that the team maximises on all sales opportunities & that we win the business over our competitors. Myself & the team also coordinate all events from small intimate weddings to large scale conferences to guarantee that all events are delivered without any hitches.

Why do you love working in the hospitality industry? 

I have worked in hospitality for 17 years so I must enjoy it! The most enjoyable part of my job is that every day is different and I get to meet some many diverse people. I also love trying to exceed clients’ expectations to make there event a huge success so they return for us to do it all over again.

Rebecca Waring – Revenue manager

Tell us about your role at The Mere…

As Revenue Manager, I manage a team of four on the Resort Desk. We are the team who look after all of the reservations for across the resort including spa, golf, reservations and dining. Enquires to us can come through phones, emails, social media and from in-house guests which keeps us a very busy department that operates seven days a week. Alongside managing the team, my role includes putting together the revenue strategy for our bedrooms and building rates and packages for our guests to enjoy!

Why do you love working in the hospitality industry? 

I have been part of the team at The Mere for 7 years now and I’d say one of the best things about the industry is being able to be the first point of contact on the guest’s experience and journey here and showcase all the resort has to offer.

Emma murray-gyte – head of sales

Tell us about your role at The Mere…

My role as Head of Sales at The Mere is busy & diverse but very rewarding.  I am responsible for overseeing the sales function for this prestigious resort property.  In addition to managing existing and loyal clients, a key part of my job is to drive new business into all areas.

Why do you love working in the hospitality industry? 

My passion is meeting new people and offering a high level of customer service which the hospitality industry certainly allows you to do. During my time so far in the industry I have been lucky enough to have worked in Dubai, Ireland, The Lake District & for Manchester United FC.