Page 28 • The HERALD • 6th October 2022 v WE’VE BEEN YOUR LOCAL SINCE 1994 v PW Bathroom Installations Call 07778 345 124 Email: petewilliams21@hotmail.co.uk Design, Supply & Fit High Quality Bathrooms in Southampton and surrounding areas Over 20 years experience Fully Insured - Free Quotation For more pictures of our work visit: @pw_bathroom_installations PW Bathroom Installations Call Mike on: 023 8048 0818 or 07796 710581 Email: mctelectrical@virginmedia.com All Electrical work Undertaken • Additional sockets & lighting• New Consumer units installed • Full / Part property rewires • Led Lighting installed • Fault Finding HANNAH’S ELECTRICS Your Local Female Electrician NEED AN ELECTRICIAN? From simple upgrades to complete house re-wiring - and everything in-between, Hannah’s Electrics is the perfect choice. A trusted tradeswoman with sensible rates covering Southampton, New Forest & Waterside areas CONTACT HANNAH 07585 778136 W: www.hannahs-electrics.co.uk • E: hannahelectrics@gmail.com Like us on Facebook Setting the Standard: New Forest General Manager Shortlisted as Finalist in Prestigious Boutique Hotelier Awards 2022 A New Forest General Manager is forging a stellar reputation in the hospitality industry for his leadership skills and commitment to developing the next generation of talent a er being shortlisted as a nalist in the prestigious Boutique Hotelier Awards 2022 as General Manager of the Year. Michael Clitheroe, General Manager at Balmer Lawn Hotel & Spa, has transformed the Brockenhurst destination from a modest 4-star hotel into an award-winning beacon of excellence when it comes to standards and employment. As a result, he has been recognised as one of the top ve general managers in the country following a decorated 24 years in the sector – developing robust relationships with schools, universities, national organisations and the local community. Having started his career as a waiter, Michael, who was also championed in Boutique Hotelier’s recent Power List for ‘Business Leader’ of 2022, has centred his long-term business growth in hospitality around placing employees at the heart of the business. Since joining in 2015, Michael has systematically increased turnover at the New Forest venue, with a healthy forecast already predicted for 2022/23. One such example was during the pandemic, when Michael played a fundamental role in delivering ‘ e Lodge’, a COVID-secure stretch tent with an outside kitchen and bar. is swi action resulted in the business making a £160,000 pro t in only 3 weeks of outside dining at a time when uctuating COVID19 restrictions were forcing some hotels to su er signi cant revenue losses and even close. Michael is also deeply passionate about his sta , with his greatest successes coming in the form of team development and people strategy. is investment has helped build on the hotel’s pre-pandemic sta retention of 97% for full-time roles. Locally, Michael chairs the New Forest Hotels group for ‘Go New Forest,’ where he successfully brought to market and sponsored a regional tourism, retail and hospitality recruitment day with over 50 businesses and 150 people attending in summer 2021. Commenting on his latest accolade, Michael said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award. Representing Balmer Lawn Hotel is a privilege and the amount of talent within our ranks is truly inspiring. In my role, I’m fortunate enough to work alongside people that are passionate about the industry and have the innate want to provide memorable service each and every day. With the help of the owners Alison and Chris Wilson, who have put their faith in me from the moment I arrived, we have collectively implemented a clear roadmap to take Balmer Lawn to the next level — ensuring it being named ‘Lockdown Hero’ in the same awards for his incredible support shown to sta welfare, mental health, phased returns to work, community food boxes and more. As a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, Michael co-conceptualised, delivered and judged categories for the Institue of Hospitality (IOH) Southern Branch Awards in Autumn 2021. Michael and Balmer Lawn placed second to Andy Lennox and the Wonky table for ‘Best response to the Pandemic’. Commenting on Michael’s success, Alison Wilson, co-owner of Balmer Lawn Hotel & Spa, said: “Michael is one of a kind and a gregarious chap who leads from the front and outwardly into the industry – which is evident in the operation he oversees daily. He works tirelessly to run a tight ship while spending much of his free time giving back to further education and industry in a bid to grow the next generation and illustrate to parents a professional career can be achieved in hospitality. Michael deserves to take home the award not only to recognise his own remarkable successes, but that of his team who have developed under him and influenced the hotel and industry in their own right.” For more information on Balmer Lawn please visit: www.balmerlawnhotel.com remains sustainable for future generations.” So far in 2022, Balmer Lawn has won the ‘5-star Customer Service Award’ from Guides for Brides, the ‘Innovation and Business Resilience Award’ at the Beautiful South Awards, and the ‘Business Innovation Award’ at the Springboard Awards for Excellence. Michael led his Assistant Manager, Lucy Whittington, to win ‘Rising Star’ award in the Southampton Region Hoteliers Awards, with Michael Michael Clitheroe, General Manager at Balmer Lawn Hotel
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