From Trainee To Employee Of The Year

As part of Hanna Rauh’s hotel management course she was required to spend 15-weeks training at a non-German speaking property. That temporary placement took her to Ashdown Park in East Sussex and led to a permanent position.

Four years on, Hanna had another surprise when she was named Employee of the Year 2009 at the country house hotel at Wych Cross, near Forest Row.

Now Assistant Reception Manager, 28-year-old Hanna originally thought she would have to start looking for a job when she completed her course at the management school in Pegnitz, Bavaria.

“As part of my studies I had to complete a traineeship in another country,” said Hanna, who originally hails from Munich. “I was sent to Ashdown Park and before I left they offered me a full-time job, which was a really nice surprise, so I finished my course in Germany and then came back.

“I had no idea I had won the Employee of the Year award until the staff party, which we have in January. That was another surprise as I just started out here as a temporary trainee and didn’t even imagine it would lead to a job at the time.”

During her time at Ashdown Park Hanna has always worked on the reception desk, being promoted from trainee receptionist to the position of senior receptionist and then Assistant Reception Manager. In her current role, which she took up one year ago, she helps manage the six-strong reception team in addition to answering the telephone, greeting guests and other front desk duties.

“I had always wanted to work in hotels, and with the public, as sitting in an office would not suit me,” she said. “Customer relations and being front of house is the thing I enjoy most about my job. I also love working in such a beautiful part of the country as I have never wanted to work in London or another big city.”

Members of staff at the hotel are nominated for the annual award by their department heads and Hanna won a two-night stay at a top London hotel, with tickets for a theatre show of her choice. She was presented with the award by Ashdown Park General Manager, Ben Booker.

Mr Booker said: “Ashdown Park has won many tourism industry awards over the years. 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 Hanna or working behind the scenes, and this is why we like to recognise them with our own internal awards.”