Meet Chris, Regional General Manager for The Venues Collection…
It is with affection we often refer to The Venues Collection as TVC. To recognise the integrity & passion of our teams we’ve interviewed several of them so you, our lovely customers, can understand who the people behind the masks are and what makes them proud to be #IAMTVC.
In this edition we speak to Chris…
Your name & job title:
I’m Chris, Regional General Manager for The Venues Collection. I am responsible for several hotels within the collection. I’m here to motivate employees, make sure the business is profitable but most importantly make sure guests have the best possible experience with us.
Which venue do you work for?
I oversee Milton Hill House Hotel, Oxfordshire, Alexandra House, Wiltshire, & Ettington Chase, Warwickshire, all which all sit under the brand name The Venues Collection (TVC). All the properties are unique, but they all offer fantastic meeting, event & wedding space in out of town locations. Guests coming to enjoy a night or weekend away with us can relax in our spacious bedrooms and enjoy the sights of the local areas.
How long have you worked here?
13 months
What is the best thing about working for The Venues Collection?
Being part of the decision-making process for a brand that delivers the flexibility that many of our competitors cannot offer.
What is your favourite event type?
A large conference that wants a quirky edge to their event and gives us the licence to tailor the event to their company ethos, values and theme.
How do you feel about the COVID secure changes now in place at the venues?
The fact we have all had input into the COVID measures enables us to believe in them and deliver them with conviction and confidence as everything has been considered.
If customers are worried about visiting a Venues Collection Venue, due to COVID-19, what would you say to reassure them?
3 things…
- Back in February 2020, we were the first hotel group in the UK, to work with Public Health England and the World Health Organisation to repatriate British citizens and their families, after being flown from Wuhan City in China, the epicentre of the current outbreak of Coronavirus. We were delighted all guests tested negative for the Coronavirus, however, our experience led the way for working in these unprecedented times and all the considerations that go with it.
- The Venues Collection is part of global catering and support services provider, Compass Group UK & Ireland. Compass work across various sectors including healthcare and education which means we can constantly draw on best practice and apply it to our collection of hotels, training and conference centres. While our competitors shut down due to COVID-19, we deployed employees to work in the wider group and community. We have used these experiences to ensure we are a step ahead in our COVID secure charter and our control measures.
- In addition to our COVID Safe Charter all of our venues are accredited by Visit Britain’s, “We’re Good To Go” standard, which is the official UK mark to signal that a tourism and hospitality business has worked hard to follow Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.
Now for a few questions to get to know you even better…
You only get 3 words to describe yourself – what are they?
Quirky, loyal & passionate
What is your favourite food?
Being from Lincolnshire, it has to be Bangers & Mash, those Bangers have to be Lincolnshire Sausages too!!
What is your favourite film & why?
The Usual Suspects, it kept me guessing until the end and then BANG… it hits you with a swerve ball at the finish.
What is your ideal holiday destination?
I love my holidays…so this is tough!! I think Las Vegas has everything, fun, nice weather, great hotels, amazing food and lots of variety in things to do.
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