Our People

I’m Sophie, People and Culture Manager at Rudding Park, and Executive Board Member of the Hospitality Junior Boards. I feel extremely privileged to be apart of HJB, working alongside likeminded individuals with a passion for hospitality. Our aim to to change the perception of hospitality and encourage young people to pursue and develop their careers within the industry.

I’m Yasmine, General Manager at Hotel Indigo York and part of the Executive Board for the Hospitality Junior Board. I love the HJB because it gives a genuine voice to the next generation of leaders and creates a space for collaboration and fresh ideas. I also host the Let Me Call My Manager podcast, which allows us to spotlight hospitality voices. I support the board by championing initiatives, mentoring members and driving engagement, to show just how rewarding a career in hospitality can be!

I’m Olly, Assistant Restaurant Manager at the Star inn at Harome, and Executive Board Member of the Hospitality Junior Board.
What I love about the HJB is, because i have been involved from the very beginning it’s amazing to see the HJB grow every day, this happens because we find passionate and inspiring people within the industry. Working alongside one another helping eachothers development both personally and for business purposes!
I work closely with fellow executive board members to develop and connect the HJB across North Yorkshire, and as a proud Yorkshire man, there’s nothing better than seeing Yorkshire do best.

I’m Becky, venue sales manager at The Motorist, and proud Executive Board Member of the Hospitality Junior Board (HJB).

What I love most about HJB is the opportunity for every Cohort member to share their personal journey into the hospitality industry along with their experiences and my own. One of the most rewarding aspects for me has been visiting schools and colleges to inspire the next generation how hospitality is a desirable and fulfilling career choice.

I’m especially proud to be a mentor and supporting the HJB’s mission to grow its presence and impact across the region!

I’m a Senior Sous Chef at Rudding Park Hotel, where I’ve been honing my culinary skills for the past eight years. I began my journey here as an apprentice and completed my full apprenticeship with the hotel, gaining hands-on experience and learning from an award-winning kitchen team. My passion for food and dedication to excellence have helped me rise through the ranks, and I now play a key role in menu development, team leadership, team development, and daily operations. Most recently, I completed a Level 4 Hospitality Manager course, which has further strengthened my expertise in leadership, service excellence, and hospitality operations.

I’m Chris Cooper, Hotel Manager at The Grand, York. With almost 20 years in hospitality, I’m passionate about supporting the next generation of talent. I mentor the Hospitality Junior Board because I believe young professionals need guidance, encouragement, and a voice at the table to shape the future of our industry. I support the HJB by sharing experience, offering career advice, and helping members build the confidence and skills needed to grow as leaders.

I’m Yasmine, General Manager at Hotel Indigo York and part of the Executive Board for the Hospitality Junior Board. I love the HJB because it gives a genuine voice to the next generation of leaders and creates a space for collaboration and fresh ideas. I also host the Let Me Call My Manager podcast, which allows us to spotlight hospitality voices. I support the board by championing initiatives, mentoring members and driving engagement, to show just how rewarding a career in hospitality can be!

I am the General Manager of the newly opened Hotel Indigo Leeds and I support HJB because I am passionate about supporting and mentoring people that want to succeed in their careers in Hospitality. It is also important to get the message out in the open that Hospitality is a great choice of career, and rewarding.
I have previously mentored, and am looking forward to carrying this on next year

I’m Oliver Stott the General Manager at Middletons Hotel. I have proudly supported the Hospitality Junior Board (HJB) since its initial cohort. My reasons for getting involved were because it empowers young professionals and nurtures future leaders in the industry. I try to contribute by mentoring team members, promoting HJB initiatives, and actively engaging with the wider hospitality community to raise awareness and participation.

I’m the Operations Manager at The Coniston Hotel, Country Estate and Spa. I am one of the mentors on the Hospitality Junior Board, supporting the development of future leaders in our industry. I decided to get involved because I truly believe in the importance of what Philip has built — a collection of exciting young managers who are creating opportunities, sharing knowledge, and helping to inspire the next generation to get involved.

I am the Deputy GM at Swinton Estate and I look after a leisure portfolio of 42 rooms, 3 restaurants, a luxury country club & spa, and more!
I support the HJB as it plays a vital role in developing the next generation of professionals in our industry and champions it as a career choice, something our profession dearly needs from its current leading figures. I’m a mentor to members of the cohort and aim to use my experience (both professional & life!) to help them make the best possible decisions to get the most out of the experience.

I lead the commercial and strategic direction at Rudding Park, overseeing all areas of revenue, sales (proactive and reactive), marketing events, and pre-arrival guest experience to ensure continued growth and innovation.
I support the HJB as I am passionate about supporting the next generation in hospitality. The HJB plays a vital role in nurturing emerging talent, creating opportunities, and encouraging leadership early in careers – values I strongly believe in.
I offer guidance and support through mentoring, fundraising, and collaboration on events. I’m proud to contribute both personally and through Rudding Park, helping to raise the profile of the board and the brilliant work it does.

I’m Becky, venue sales manager at The Motorist, and proud Executive Board Member of the Hospitality Junior Board (HJB).

What I love most about HJB is the opportunity for every Cohort member to share their personal journey into the hospitality industry along with their experiences and my own. One of the most rewarding aspects for me has been visiting schools and colleges to inspire the next generation how hospitality is a desirable and fulfilling career choice.

I’m especially proud to be a mentor and supporting the HJB’s mission to grow its presence and impact across the region!

I work with the Hospitality Junior Board as their photographer and videographer. I attend their meetings and events, with my camera in hand, and capture all the good stuff – energy, teamwork, and the amazing team of people behind it all. I run a small creative business, so I know the importance of telling a story that connects. My job is to deliver visuals that help the board share what they’re doing and get people excited about it.

My role in the HJB is to develop and be the facilitator of the skills workshops. Allowing curiosity, great conversations and introducing a number of ideas to help build their key skills. Done interactively and ‘real’ I support the HJB cohorts on their journeys

I support the Hospitality Junior Board by managing the administration of the programme and coordinating events, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. This allows the Board members to focus on their own growth and development, while championing careers in hospitality and creating opportunities for the next generation of talent in the industry.

I wrote the below when I joined the programme. 18 months on I am now the proud owner of the Wenlcok Arms, Wheldrake!

I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the junior board program for York & North Yorkshire. I truly think that having the 9 of us around the table can only result in some fantastic, creative and positive ideas to hopefully make a lasting impression within hospitality industry. For to long has the industry been nocked back and seen to be uninspiring for young people. We all very much won’t to change that!

I started my journey at young age working in some of Yorkshire best hotels. I moved to York some 10 years ago and started my new role looking after wedding and events. For the last 7 Years I’ve have managed The Drovers Arms in Skipwith. Growing an established team, reducing costs & driving up sells. We have been lucky enough to have won pub of the year at the visit York tourism awards for the last 3 years running and are very much hoping to take it home for a 4th year this year. We have recently under gone a 150k refurbishment, bringing a new lest of life and ensuring we are the go to country pub & restaurant in North Yorkshire.

When I’m not making new connections working with the team from the junior board or managing The Drovers Arms, I like to spend most of my time in the outdoors exploring the North Yorkshire moors or Lake District. I also enjoy meeting my friends and family going out for meals or entering them at home.

I’m Amreen, I am the Assistant Manager of Meeting and Events at Rudding Park. I have over 10years experience in the hospitality industry, starting my career at 16, My journey began at a local café where I initially worked as a pot wash before quickly progressing to a Front of House role. I built a solid foundation in customer service and operational management excelling in my role and taking on extra managerial duties. I then moved to The Coniston Hotel, where I progressed to the role of Operations Supervisor of Wedding and Events gaining my experience in Event Management. I recently wanted to further my career and moved to Rudding Park as a Duty Manager and was promoted into my current role. A Career highlight for me has been executing large VIP events flawlessly and receiving client satisfaction in their feedback. One thing I would change in this industry is showing the importance of every person and how each job role plays a huge part in making the event successful.

My name is Becca Gale and for the last two years I have worked at The Grand Hotel, York, starting as a receptionist and working my way up to my current position as Assistant Reception Manager. As my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Politics and International Relations has taught me, the art of diplomacy, building meaningful connections, and a sense of curiosity lends itself to the world of hospitality I now found myself working in – especially in the ‘trenches’ alongside a team of like-minded individuals on the Front Desk. As Walt Whitman once said, “be curious, not judgemental,’ – and there is no greater reward than to learn from those around you, tackling challenges together through greater collaboration, cultivation and communication, all the while dedicated to striving for excellence. At the heart of hospitality is the people and I champion the notion that once you climb up the ladder, you give a helping hand to those behind you, rather than pulling up the ladder. In such a short time, I have learnt a considerable amount and cannot wait to see what’s around the corner – not forgetting to share the best of Yorkshire hospitality.

My name is Becca, I’m the Assistant Front Office Manager at Grantley Hall. I’ve been in hospitality for 7 years, 4 years previously in a hotel near Whitby called Raithwaite (rebranded now to be called Saltmoore). I worked in Events first, then Restaurant, then realised Reception/Front Office was my calling. Once I decided Whitby was a bit too ‘small town’ for me, I needed to flee the nest to find something more, and that more was Grantley Hall. Here I started as Receptionist, progressing through to Reception Supervisor and Senior Reception Supervisor then now Assistant Front Office Manager! The highlight of my career to date is winning Receptionist of the Year in Harrogate district 2023. It was the same week I got the promotion to Supervisor and I felt so fulfilled and proud!

Something I’d like to change in the industry would be to highlight the ‘working route to a successful career’. I didn’t attend University however finishing college, I didn’t realise that I could go as far as I have without that education!

I’m Becky, venue sales manager at The Motorist, and proud Executive Board Member of the Hospitality Junior Board (HJB).

What I love most about HJB is the opportunity for every Cohort member to share their personal journey into the hospitality industry along with their experiences and my own. One of the most rewarding aspects for me has been visiting schools and colleges to inspire the next generation how hospitality is a desirable and fulfilling career choice.

I’m especially proud to be a mentor and supporting the HJB’s mission to grow its presence and impact across the region!

I have always had an interest in food, particularly pastries… This passion lead me to study catering and hospitality at college where I trained to be a chef. I enjoyed the creativity and the perfectionism of the culinary arts and slowly started applying these skills and knowledge to front of house. I started as a waitress and have worked my way up to my current position as restaurant manager. Hospitality has truly increased my self-confidence, provided opportunities for personal development and I love being a part of such a supportive community!

Since writing the below Dan has moved to London and taken on the prestigious role as Head Waiter at the Ritz.
My name is Daniel Johnson, I am currently the restaurant manager of The Rise at The Grand. I have been in this role since January 2022. Overall, I have worked in hospitality for the last 8 years. I have been in York for the last 2.5 years but prior to that I was based closer to home. I spent the start of my career in a five red star property in County Durham, called Rockliffe Hall. I started at Rockliffe in 2016 just as I left secondary school. I started my first job there working as a part time kitchen porter. Over the next 5.5 years I had climbed the ranks to waiter, team leader, supervisor, assistant manager and then I left as the manager of the restaurant I used to wash pots in.
There are things I would like to change in hospitality, archaic stigmas need to be updated. I find it ironic that we spend our time hiding what is really going on from our guests to have the best experience. They do not see what happens behind the curtain. After years of negative stigmas, understandably our guests assume they know what happens in the back of house. Long hours, split shifts, unfair pay. In reality, this has been changing for many years now. New initiatives have been enrolled, such as a 4 day working week & service charge pay. I would like to showcase the positives that come from working in the industry.

My name is Dom Dorgan, and I’ve been part of the hospitality industry for nearly ten years, serving as the Deputy Hotel Manager at Cedar Court Hotels. My journey began as a part-time Conference and Events Assistant, and what started as a job to fill time quickly became my passion. I decided to go full-time and, through hard work and dedication, worked my way up within the company, embracing each role along the way. Cedar Court is all I’ve ever known in hospitality, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

When it comes to career highlights, it’s tough to pick just one moment because hospitality constantly brings new challenges and rewards. If I could change one thing in the industry, it would be to place even greater emphasis on employee well-being. It’s easy to focus on guest satisfaction, but I believe we’d achieve even better results by ensuring the team feels supported and valued. A happy team creates a happy guest experience, and that’s something I’m passionate about.

I’m Ella, Deputy Manager of the Judges Lodging in York city centre, and member of the HJB exec committee. I love the programme because it proves that real work ethic exists in the next gen, and gives the opportunity to converse with likeminded people about the industry and its challenges. I support the programme by bragging about it to any ambitious young managers I come into contact with, making sure everyone knows how much of a part it’s played for me in my roles.

Hello, my name is Ioannis Dimitroulias and I hail from Greece. Currently I am the FOH Manager at the busy Holiday Inn Manchester Central. My passion is to provide exceptional stays for my guests by listening to their needs and guiding my team to reach their true potential by supporting them.

Since Jack wrote the below he has promoted to Rural Estate Manager at the Swinton Estate.
My name is Jack Depledge, and I am Assistant Estate Manager at Swinton Estate. I have been in position at Swinton for just over two years now, and absolutely love the diversity of my role. From drafting Farm Tenancies, to hosting Shoot Days – no two days are the same at Swinton!
Having started my career as a Gamekeeper, with a period of Beef & Sheep Farming and my ultimate progression into my role as a Land Agent: I am passionate about Local, British ‘Field to Fork’ produce. I feel the journey of our food has been dangerously disconnected; from a 28-day Aged Shorthorn Beef T-Bone Steak to a Wild Roe Deer Venison Wellington, from a pint of fresh Whole Jersey Milk to Swinton’s freshly shot KFP ‘Kentucky Fried Pheasant’ – there is a huge range of the finest quality, healthy produce on our doorsteps, and my drive is to ease the connection of these products from producer to consumer, while educating all those willing to listen along the way!
If I could change one perception about the Hospitality Industry, I would change the perception the industry is just a temporary vocation, or a stop-gap. Of course, it can be – as I found myself, working in a busy Dales Pub during the infamous ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ days – but the industry is so diverse, so wide-reaching, with my position as an example, that a career in Hospitality can support everybody, from any background; and this should be celebrated positively.

I’m Jasmine Iley, it’s fair to say I never thought hospitality would be my career but hear I am now absolutely loving it. After having a part time job in a local pub I very quickly developed a passion for the industry. I felt university wasn’t the direction for me, so I took the decision to change my career path of dance to peruse hospitality.
To date my hands on experience includes being part of the reopening of a prominent hotel in Birmingham, now working at Grantley Hall in Yorkshire.
I am excited to be part of The Junior Hospitality Board, to help promote the opportunities this industry offers.
Looking back I am so pleased I made the changes I did, so now I want to support others in following a career in this progressive industry.

My name is Jasmine Whichello and I am the Reception Manager at Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate. I have been working within the hospitality industry since the age of 14, so just under 7 years now, 4 years with it being my full time career, since leaving education.

I have grown up within the hospitality since birth, with my dad managing hotels around the UK, and have always known it is where my passion lies as a profession. As soon as I turned 14 and knew I was able to start part time work I begun work in a café, then moving on to a restaurant, sometimes running this mid week alone on the floor. I then begun working at M&S as a customer assistant, still working at the restaurant on an evening. I then decided I wanted to take a next step in my career and came looking for a part time job at Rudding Park, alongside sixth form , unsure of which department but I knew it was somewhere of interest. I was then approached by the HR department who asked if their management trainee program was of interest, and straight away I knew I would love it. After 6 months on this program, moving around departments, I was offered a permeant position on reception, quickly being promoted to reception shift leader and then moving into my current position of reception manager. Becoming the Reception Manager, I would definitely say is my career highlight to date, as I feel it is such an achievement for my age and something I am extremely proud of.

One thing I would love to change within the hospitality industry would be for the younger generation to see hospitality as a ‘career’ more than just a job filler until they find a ‘proper job’. There is so many different paths within the hospitality industry and I feel this needs to be advertised to show more and more people how this can be ‘their’ career path.

I’m Olly, Assistant Restaurant Manager at the Star inn at Harome, and Executive Board Member of the Hospitality Junior Board.
What I love about the HJB is, because i have been involved from the very beginning it’s amazing to see the HJB grow every day, this happens because we find passionate and inspiring people within the industry. Working alongside one another helping eachothers development both personally and for business purposes!
I work closely with fellow executive board members to develop and connect the HJB across North Yorkshire, and as a proud Yorkshire man, there’s nothing better than seeing Yorkshire do best.

I’m Sophie, People and Culture Manager at Rudding Park, and Executive Board Member of the Hospitality Junior Boards. I feel extremely privileged to be apart of HJB, working alongside likeminded individuals with a passion for hospitality. Our aim to to change the perception of hospitality and encourage young people to pursue and develop their careers within the industry.

My name is Sophie Whitlam and I am the Brasserie restaurant manager at The Devonshire Arms Hotel and Spa. I have worked in the hospitality industry for around 6 years. I started in the industry by doing a ski season in France as a chalet host, which I did for two years before starting where I am now. I have worked at The Brasserie for over 5 years and I started as a waitress, I have then progressed through the roles of junior supervisor, supervisor, and assistant manager to now being the restaurant manager which is probably the highlight of my career as it is not something I saw myself progressing to. If I could change one thing, it would be how people perceive a career in the industry. When I started at the dev it was only planned to be short term but it has progressed a lot more than expected, and my dad was always in the mind-set that hospitality is unsociable, not well paid and not the best career to go into. I have changed his perception of the industry and shown how it is a career to go into and I would like more people to see this.

My name is Tom Howes, I am Head Bartender at No.1 by Guesthouse and Pearly Cow York and I’m so excited to be a part of the very first Junior Board. Hospitality has been a part of my life since a young age, and I believe it has been an integral element of my personal, academic, and professional development. I have worked at No.1 since its opening in 2021 and I have loved being a part of a new business, being able to be part of its evolution and working hard to make it a success. I have a background in sustainability, with a degree in Environment, Economics and Ecology, and the opportunity to utilise this and make a positive impact to a sector I love is an incredibly exciting prospect for me. Hospitality is a sector that I believe is significantly underappreciated and underrepresented, and I’m eager to engage with as many people as possible to shed a light on the great work that is being done throughout York and North Yorkshire and the endless opportunities that a career in hospitality can offer.

I’m Yasmine, General Manager at Hotel Indigo York and part of the Executive Board for the Hospitality Junior Board. I love the HJB because it gives a genuine voice to the next generation of leaders and creates a space for collaboration and fresh ideas. I also host the Let Me Call My Manager podcast, which allows us to spotlight hospitality voices. I support the board by championing initiatives, mentoring members and driving engagement, to show just how rewarding a career in hospitality can be!

Hospitality became a natural career path for me after realising that traditional academics weren’t where I thrived, but working with people was. I discovered a genuine passion for delivering exceptional service and creating memorable guest experiences, which led me to pursue a role within the spa and wellness industry. I’ve now been with Grantley Hall for just under five years, starting as a Spa Therapist and progressing to my current position as Assistant Spa Manager. Throughout my time at Grantley, I’ve embraced every opportunity to grow and sought to contribute beyond my core role whether that’s supporting events, stepping in for Duty Manager shifts, or working collaboratively across departments. I first heard about the York and North Yorkshire Junior Hospitality Board through colleagues who had been part of previous cohorts and spoke incredibly highly of the experience. Their insights sparked my interest and the more I learned, the more I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.

Hospitality is an ever-evolving industry and there is always something new to learn. This is why I’m so passionate about collaboration and cohesion across departments, venues, and professionals. Sharing knowledge and learning from each other is key to staying adaptable, engaged and inspired. More than anything, I want to be an advocate for the hospitality industry as a valued and fulfilling career path, not just something people fall into because it’s perceived as easy. It’s a dynamic, challenging, and rewarding industry that deserves recognition, and I’d love to help spread that message while representing and learning alongside like-minded professionals on the board.

Choosing to build an early career over a university marketing degree, I love the fast pace and challenge of hospitality in the hotel industry and I am thriving in Sales at Thwaites.
Joining the board will allow me to meet likeminded young people, gain new experiences and access the industry expertise.

I believe this will allow me to have the opportunity to develop my skills and show everyone that hospitality is exciting and rewarding as a career choice.

My name is Rebecca Coultish, I am Food and Beverage supervisor at the Barbican, York. I have worked in hospitality since I was 15 years old ranging from working in the kitchen to serving behind the bar. My highlight so for would be working at The Barbican in York and getting to see artist like Jonny Depp and The Vamps while working.
The thing I love most about working in hospitality is meeting new people from around the world and hearing their stories. That’s why I’m excited to be joining the hospitality board, so that I can meet new people and learn from their experiences. I hope that my confidence and business skills grow so that I can keep improving my performance at work.

Hello, my name is Isabelle Ratcliffe, I started working in retail at the age of 16, as an assistant manager at Pandora UK. Since then, I have wanted to explore a career in retail/hospitality, which has led me to successfully completing an apprenticeship in holistic therapy and spa management, resulting in becoming a trainee duty manager at Nadarra Spa/The Coniston Hotel. I am excited to join The Hospitality Junior Board as I believe the skills and networking possibilities on offer are unparalleled and invaluable.

Hello Everyone! I’m Alex McLeod and am from Stamford Bridge just outside of York. I currently work as a Performance Team Leader at The York Dungeon and will step up as Performance Supervisor from July. I’ve known about the Hospitality Junior Board for a while now and when I was sent the email first, I wasn’t then in the right position to take on the challenge. Since stepping up I find myself in the position where I want to challenge myself further and not simply rest and become comfortable with where I’m at, always wanting to try push myself more and see what can be achieved. I believe the Hospitality Junior Board will do just that and put me out of my comfort zone and force me into being curious, proactive and learning new skills along the way!

I started working in hospitality at the age of 16, I got a summer job at the cairn hotel in Harrogate, I then went to college and after a few months decided that it wasn’t for me, so I sent my CV and a letter around the hotels in Harrogate and Yorkshire area. I received a call from Rudding offering me an apprenticeship, which was just the start.
My first few months I spent in the restaurant just learning the basic, taking orders and been on the pass. Then after a couple of months I moved down the meetings and events, to start off with in M&E I was doing set ups, portering, serving food and just learning how everything works. Then after a while I started to take an interest in Beverage and started working on the bars and that’s what I have done ever since. I now run the beverage in the meetings and events department, I’m responsible for making sure that the bars and beverage runs smoothly for all events weather its dinners and weddings or marquees up to a 1000 people.

I’m a Senior Sous Chef at Rudding Park Hotel, where I’ve been honing my culinary skills for the past eight years. I began my journey here as an apprentice and completed my full apprenticeship with the hotel, gaining hands-on experience and learning from an award-winning kitchen team. My passion for food and dedication to excellence have helped me rise through the ranks, and I now play a key role in menu development, team leadership, team development, and daily operations. Most recently, I completed a Level 4 Hospitality Manager course, which has further strengthened my expertise in leadership, service excellence, and hospitality operations.

My name is Samuel Holding, and I’m the current Assistant Restaurant Manager for Legacy, at The Grand York. We are an AA 3 Rosette dining restaurant based in The Grand hotel in York, aiming for Michelin star service and warm hospitality. Our guest journey aims to be a relaxed experience for each guest, providing them with a passionate and professional service.

I’ve been working across multiple sectors across the hospitality world, including Sommelier work, various levels of management, and classic French style silver service. I joined the Junior Hospitality Board to test myself and raise the bar on both my standards and my ability to inspire a team to achieve the best out of themselves.

I’m currently the Restaurant Manager at The Old Deanery in Ripon, a 3 AA Rosette restaurant proudly featured in the Michelin Guide. My journey in hospitality has taken me through some of the UK’s most prestigious establishments, including The Fat Duck, Cliveden House, and The Dorchester Collection’s Coworth Park and here in North Yorkshire I spent some time working with Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall. These experiences have helped shape my passion for exceptional guest service, team leadership, and attention to detail.

I applied to join the Hospitality Junior Board because I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to the future of the industry, connect with inspiring peers, and continue learning and developing. I’m particularly passionate about creating positive working cultures and encouraging people to see hospitality as a long-term, fulfilling career.