lauren long

WGC services are a contract cleaning company who provide housekeeping services to Hotels. As Area manager my responsibilities were to ensure the Service Level Agreement is maintained to all service user locations within budgetary limits. I was an Area Manager for 12 sites which equate to approx. 2,500 bedrooms in London and the M4 corridor. This was a challenging role as I needed to develop my remote management skills on a larger scale. My responsibilities were auditing, reporting and generally support requirements at sites such as HR, ordering, H+S and building solid relationships with the service users in order to monitor and improve satisfaction levels. I decided to leave as I felt it was not the right challenge for my personal progression.

At Harris and Hoole I manage a speciality coffee shop and a production kitchen which produces artisan food for 5 other shops. It is my mission to deliver exceptional coffee and great homemade food to the high street of Amersham.

After a varied career in hospitality I have decided to transform a hobby I am passionate about into a business I can be truly proud of. I am in the infant stages of setting up an online retail business offering hand-painted, bespoke gifts for children (e.g Jewellery boxes) and occasions (e.g christmas). Watch this space...

As Operations Manager at Premier Inn London Euston I was responsible for reception, housekeeping and maintenance as well Deputy General Manager in General Manager's absence. The team I managed consisted of 20 front of house staff as well as 19 staff contracted for housekeeping and I supervised the food and beverage team of over 20 in the F+B managers' absence. I completed the Shooting stars gold management fast track programme to become General Manager within 6- 12 months which really stretched and challenged me to take risks and actively seek further development from resources around me. I also managed the restaurant, bar and costa coffee outlet for 3 months whilst a new manager was appointed. I was nominated by the HR team to be filmed for careers4u.tv for a DVD documentary to inspire and inform students of the rewards and opportunities from working in the hospitality industry. This is because I wanted to share the passion I have for working in this industry with students who are considering a future in hospitality.

English literature and language - B; Media Studies - B; Sociology - C

Art - A; Science dual award - A/A; Religious Studies - A; Food Technology - A; English Oral - A; Maths - B; Child development - B; English literature - B; English language - B; German - C.