"Our objective is to try and make our client's 'conference organiser' feel like a hero. If we do that, then everyone is happy - it never fails to make you feel good."

Conference Manager My name is Wendy Wood and I am conference and banqueting manager. I have been in the hotel industry for 18 months and before that I was a leisure manager in the health and fitness industry. I was offered a wonderful opportunity by the existing gm to come into C&B. The thing I like most about my job is the feeling of satisfaction I getting knowing someone has had a good time and to see everyone smiling and happy. There are lots of benefits working in the hotel industry. We get discounted accommodation, free meals whilst on duty and lots of in house training.

A Day in the Life

I have to make sure all transactions have been correctly posted to the relevant department. I am also responsible for all main accounts. Again after checking everything has been posted that should have been I send out the invoices to the clients.

Background and Training

I worked at Marks and Spencer in Wakefield over the summer holidays while I was at school. I worked in all the departments, but I particularly enjoyed the food section. I then left school and went to Wakefield College to study hotel and catering management (BTEC national diploma) which I thoroughly enjoyed. The course dealt with all the departments within the hotel environment, kitchen, reception, restaurant, bars etc. Whilst at Wakefield College we had to do a number of placements, including an exchange to France, working at a hotel in Scarborough, also I did a month’s placement helping teach cooking to people with special needs.

From college I went to Manchester University to study hotel management with tourism. Again we touched on all the departments of a hotel. For my HND I had to do a placement for a year. I was based at a hotel in Leeds and I worked in the restaurant, kitchen, bars, personnel and reception.

After graduating I enjoyed the summer and I was lucky enough to get a job here at Oulton Hall where I started off in reception as a junior receptionist. I was quickly promoted to a receptionist then onto reception supervisor. I really enjoyed working on reception, as you are the nerve centre of the hotel (well that’s how I felt).

It was through working on reception that I became aware of a job vacancy in the accounts office. I had always been interested in that side of things so I approached the financial controller and it went from there. I got the job and I have enjoyed every minute of it so far.

Career Progression

The next step for me is to become an assistant financial controller or a financial controller of a hotel.

Qualifications Needed

Usual entry level is with 4 GCSE's A-C including maths and English.

College courses offer NVQ in accounting or business administration. Opportunities exist for a modern apprenticeship in accounting to train you as you work.

Qualities Needed

Well organised practical person good with figures who can communicate well with others.