General Manager of Our Hampshire Hotel Shortlisted For Boutique Hotelier Award!

Here at Balmer Lawn Hotel, we’re proud to share that the general manager of our Hampshire hotel, Michael Clitheroe, is on the shortlist for ‘General Manager of the Year’. 

The Awards are hosted by Boutique Hotelier who created them to recognise the achievements of staff members as well as new and innovative products at a prestigious black tie event.

Keep reading to discover more about Michael and why he’s deserving of this outstanding award:

Michael Clitheroe | General Manager at Our Hampshire Hotel

Michael, our general manager at Balmer Lawn Hotel, has shown incredible dedication and leadership.

Michael is passionate about his staff and has developed incredible team skills and strategy while maintaining a stellar reputation within the hospitality industry and nurturing the talents of our staff members.

Since joining us as general manager, Michael has raised the calibre of our hotel, creating a venue renowned for high standards and impressive customer service.

Building on his successes, Michael sponsored a regional tourism, retail, and hospitality day that attracted over 50 businesses and 150 guests, leading to an increase in staff retention at our Hampshire hotel.

Due to his enthusiasm and commitment, Boutique Hotelier has recognised Michael as one of the country's top five general managers, contributing to our hotel's success by building strong relationships with schools, universities, and our local community.

The Career of Our General Manager at Our Hampshire Hotel

Michael began his hospitality career as a waiter before ascending the ranks to a management position. He’s recently won Boutique Hotelier’s Business Leader of 2022 by prioritising business growth around his employees, ensuring that they're placed at the very heart of the hotel.

Since becoming our general manager in 2015, Michael has flourished in the role. So far in his career with us, Michael has already increased turnover - with another spectacular year predicted for 2023.

He achieved this increase by installing our new Lodge Kitchen and Bar during the pandemic. During a time of struggle for the hospitality sector, Michael’s decision resulted in an incredible profit of £160,000 which helped during a period of revenue loss.

Our Hampshire Hotel | The Response From Our General Manager

After receiving his nomination for general manager of the year, Michael said: “I’m delighted to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award. Representing Balmer Lawn Hotel is a privilege and the amount of talent within our ranks is inspiring.

“In my role, I’m fortunate enough to be in a position that ensures that the standard of our service is impeccable each day. With the help of the owners Alison and Chris Wilson, who have put their faith in me from the moment I arrived, we have implemented a clear roadmap to take Balmer Lawn Hotel to the next level - ensuring it remains sustainable for future generations."

During Michael’s tenure at our Hampshire hotel, we have won the ‘5-star Customer Service Award’ from Guide for Brides, the ‘Innovation and Business Resilience Award’ from the Beautiful South Awards, and the ‘Business Innovation Award’ at the Springboard Awards for Excellence, where he was named ‘Lockdown Hero’ for his incredible work throughout the pandemic.

The Response From The Owners at Our Hampshire Hotel

Alison Wilson, one of the co-owners here at Balmer Lawn Hotel, said, “Michael is one of a kind and a gregarious chap who leads from the front into the industry - which is evident in the operation he oversees daily.

“He works to run a tight ship while spending much of his free time giving back to further education in a bid to grow the next generation and illustrate to parents how a professional career can be achieved in hospitality.

“Michael deserves to take home the award not only to recognise his remarkable successes but that of his team who help showcase hospitality as a long-term career option.”

If you’d like to vote for Michael in this year’s Boutique Hotelier Awards 2022 finals, please visit their website.

Alternatively, look at our previous blog to discover more about the romantic retreats we offer at Balmer Lawn Hotel.