Want to find out more about hospitality careers? Listen to (or read about) real Haven people talk about why they love their career, and why you could too!
Watch the video, or if you prefer to read, find the transcription below 👇
What attracted you to a career in hospitality?
Peter Blake, Chief Operating Officer – I fell into it by accident. I’ve heard it many times in my career that I’m going to get a job in hospitality until I can get a proper job, but I fell in love with it.
Cherry Barnett, General Manager – I started my wonderful career in Haven as an entertainer. There’s nothing more enjoyable than being up on stage or out and about talking to people, making them smile, laugh and dance, and being a happy part of their holiday. There’s opportunities to have a great time and to love doing what you do.
Andy Bell, General Manager – I was referred by a friend in college. Haven has been a fantastic name in our community and the opportunity of a summer role came up to work in the bars department and in the kids Treasure Shop. I really enjoyed myself and I felt at home and a part of the team so I transitioned into a leisure role where I started as a sports coach and worked my way through until I became a manager at Head Office. The team you work with, the culture and the ability to develop and grow took a hold of me.
Andrew Rumsby, General Manager – Coming out of university, I started with a summer job as a lifeguard. From day one I realised that it was such a people focused industry and I fell in love with it straight away. I’m still here 24 years later.
Tell us about your career journey, where did you start and how did you navigate where you are today?
Peter – I left school at 16 and got a job in a local restaurant. I said I was 18 but was soon rumbled and thrown in the kitchen where I did various different jobs. The industry has been very good to me and I’m still loving the sector 30 years later.
Cherry – I had a really interesting journey in Haven. I’ve had great opportunities and the chance to work with fabulous people in some wonderful locations. I travelled around a lot and worked in different Haven parks in different roles. I’ve seen different sides of holiday park life and I think you gain a lot from every area that you work in. The people I met on the way really helped me to grow my skills, including leadership, and to understand what’s important to people. If you’re passionate and you really care, people will give you the time. That’s something I’m very grateful for at Haven.
Andy – I think you have to be committed and on day one I saw a great opportunity to progress through the business, Whether it was internal or external qualifications, Haven was able to provide those. I was on the fence about what I thought my career path might be and there were some great development opportunities and career pathways that were clearly set out for me. I saw that in leisure and I’ve never looked back.
Andrew – Bourne Leisure (the owner of Haven) has always been great at providing training courses and qualifications so that you can progress. I really loved hearing stories of people like the bar team or lifeguards who progress all the way up to general manager. That’s what really inspired me in the beginning to get as far as I could. I’ve had loads of opportunities to learn and progress through my career journey. The leadership programmes have inspired me a lot too and they’ve given me a lot of skills that I use today.
What has helped you to continually grow, achieve and succeed through your career? What learning, programmes, and internal support have you had access to?
Peter – The thing I get excited about now is seeing other people. I use Cherry as a fabulous example who I met a few years ago. She was running around doing a variety of roles and I said one day that individual will be a general manager and it was a really proud moment for us when that happened. Being able to spot talent and see the opportunity that exists for everyone, regardless of your background, your gender, or anything! This is a business that gives equal opportunity and I want to keep seeing people grow.
I’ve done a lot of the leadership courses. One of my favourite memories was climbing Mount Snowdon and it’s great. You learn how to go against adversity and all of those challenges. A lot of things that I learn on that course, I put into my everyday working. One time we had to climb a quarry to touch the Carabiner and I’m terrified of heights but with everyone else cheering me on, I managed to do it. If I’m having tough times, I think about touching the Carabiner. It shows you that you might have a tough challenge, but you can get through it.
Andy – I had some great mentors and leaders, and some external and internal qualifications like management development. We have some amazing opportunities and programmes and as a senior leader I think it’s important to keep learning in every aspect of our role so we regularly look for further opportunities to grow.
Andrew – I think you need to have a lot of drive and a passion for people. How we motivate and engage our team in a common goal to be successful is really important. Resilience is an undervalued quality that lots of leaders in any organisation have. How we deal day to day with any challenges that come our way, how we focus on the things that are important and how we provide those memories for our guests is our job to do.
What would you say to anyone who’s considering a career in hospitality?
Peter – Just do it. It’s a fabulous business. Just look at our Haven parks – we get paid to come on holiday every day. What better job satisfaction is there to see 3 million holiday makers with smiles on their faces and people who are proud to own a holiday home with us. Seeing our team who enjoy putting the uniform on everyday and coming to work to create memories that last a lifetime. It’s an honour to lead park teams and to have a job where we get to make such a difference to people’s lives.
Cherry – You will find a place where you can be yourself and thrive. Everyone has different special skills and hospitality is inclusive. Whatever you are good at, there is a place for you in hospitality that will enable you to be the best you can be and achieve whatever you want to achieve.
Andy – Get stuck in. Don’t delay it – once you find your calling within Haven or within Hospitality, the opportunities are there. You’ll get out just as much as you put in.
Andrew – No day is the same. People who work in this industry are fantastic and the team that work in Haven are amazing. It’s a lifestyle, not only for our guests and owners, but for the team. I’ve loved every single moment of my journey and if you are thinking about joining in, I would highly recommend it.
Want to find out more about the roles and pathways at Haven? Explore the free, 1 hour short Virtual Work Experience course that you can do at your own pace.
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