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Sacha scoops top industry award

10 July 2007

Sacha James will be following in the footsteps of some famous names when she receives a prestigious industry award.

Marco Pierre White and Gary Rhodes are just two of the top personalities who have also been presented with an Acorn Award, which recognise the outstanding achievement of employees under the age of 30 in hospitality industry.

Sacha (29) joined Thistle Hotels ten years ago after completing A' levels at King Henry VIII School in Abergavenny. She is one of only two people in the company to receive an Acorn Award this year.

Her first role was at the Thistle Euston where she started her career in hospitality as a trainee receptionist, gradually moving through the ranks to become reception manager.

In August 2000 she moved to Thistle Kensington Gardens as front office manager, retaining this role, but with additional responsibility and larger teams, at both the Thistle City Barbican and the Royal Horseguards Hotel. Sacha then moved to a new role at the Front Office Academy.

Thistle's group training and development manager Sarah How, who nominated Sacha for the Acorn Award, explains: "Following eight years in operations, Sacha moved into a totally different role; a corporate training role as Front Office Academy manager, a position she has taken to another level and exceeded all expectations.

"Sacha continuously demonstrates personal drive and passion in her day to day work. Although she was new to training, through personal development and determination she has transformed our training into a unique programme that focuses on providing our front office teams with the most comprehensive on/off job training and on-going support in the industry."

Since she took on the role in 2005 Sacha has developed a two week induction programme that is now a compulsory programme for all new front office employees.

The Acorns, which this year celebrate their 21st birthday; recognise employees under 30 who go above and beyond the call of duty in their everyday roles. They are credited with finding the future leaders of the hospitality industry.

Originally from Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, Sacha now lives in Ealing.