Name: Aidan Smith
Job Title: Senior Assistant Manager – Front of House
Front of House covers all departments that sit physically at the entry to the hotel and include Reception and Concierge services. Fortunately for the team at Ashdown Park, Aidan has worked his way up from a Junior Hall Porter and so is very familiar with the responsibilities that come with one of the most customer facing roles in the hotel and the importance of making a good first impression!
Career to date:
Junior Hall porter: 2 years 8 months
Hall porter: 2 years 11 months
Deputy Head Concierge: 7 years 10 months
Head Concierge: 2 years 7 months
Assistant Manager - Front of House: 3 years 3 months
Senior Assistant Manager – Front of House: 6 Months
Why did you choose Elite hotels? How did you come to work at Ashdown Park?
I was on a gap year from University and needed to find a job so answered an advert for a Junior Hall Porter with no idea it would turn into a career!
How has your role developed during your time at Ashdown Park?
My role has developed enormously. I started in a junior position and am now part of the senior management team. When I started I never imagined I would progress so far and am very proud of what I have achieved to date.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Working with the team we have here at Ashdown Park. Many of us have been here a long time and it’s great to see your peers develop and further their careers. There is very much a family feel to the team, which is something special.
What advice would you give to someone seeking a career in hospitality?
Enjoy it and take every opportunity you can. From my experience I have not only had the pleasure of working with some of the most lively and fun people you’ll ever likely to meet, but day to day the industry is about making people happy, which in its self is extremely enjoyable. There are always so many different departments and jobs available I would advise anyone starting in the industry to explore as many roles as possible and use these experiences to forge their career. There’s some quite good perks also!
What’s been your biggest achievement?
I couldn’t single out one particular thing if I’m honest as each individual thing I have achieved I have been extremely proud of, ranging from getting my Golden Keys when I was a Concierge to getting my first management position.
What training have you undertaken?
Various course ranging from Management Training to First Aid. Elite and Ashdown Park have always invested a lot of time in training courses and development and I have benefitted enormously from each one I have been on.
Three words to describe working for Elite
Rewarding, Challenging, Fun