We’re pleased to introduce Ashley, our newly appointed Head of Food & Beverage at Edgbaston Park Hotel.

With five years of invaluable experience within our team, Ashley began his journey with us as a Food and Beverage Assistant and has now stepped in to this exciting new role.

Join us as we sit down with Ashley to delve into his journey, insights, and vision for the future of our culinary offerings.

1. How did you get into the hospitality industry?

My career journey began in the retail sector where I worked for 12 years, before I embarked on an overseas adventure working as a sports and entertainment host with TUI in Tenerife. Upon my return to the UK, I joined Edgbaston Park Hotel as a Food & Beverage Assistant. I was drawn to this role, as I felt that I had transferrable skills in customer service and guest experience. For me, what truly captivated me about the hospitality industry was its emphasis on fostering connections and teamwork, making it the ideal environment for me to thrive in professionally.

2. What inspired you to pursue this promotion and how does it align with your career goals?

At Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre, it’s the vibrant people and dynamic culture that motivated me to progress into my new role. I joined the team at Edgbaston Park Hotel from when the hotel first opened in 2018 and since then I have been given a clear progression and development plan and unwavering support from my directors and peers. I am passionate about managing people, and I currently oversee a team of 70 team members. My aim has always been to transition and progress into an operational role within the hospitality industry, and this promotion aligns with that goal perfectly.

3. What skills and experiences do you believe were instrumental in earning this promotion?

Being committed to engaging customers and ensuring guest satisfaction has truly been crucial for me. Alongside that, having a deep understanding of the food and beverage industry and staying on top of its ever-evolving trends has been key. My experience in planning and flawlessly executing events, as well as my leadership skills, focusing on training and development have contributed significantly. I’ve also had recognition as Leader of the Year at the EPH Team Awards Night and Manager of the Month on multiple occasions.

4. What do you like about working at Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre?

I truly value the camaraderie and vibrant culture within the team at Edgbaston Park Hotel. It’s inspiring to be in an environment where career progression is actively encouraged. Moreover, I find that the vision and values of the hotel closely resonate with my own professional ethos.

5. Can you share any memorable experiences or lessons learned from your journey within the industry leading up to this promotion?

One of the most memorable experiences was navigating our way through the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in terms of catching up on the backlog of weddings that were cancelled due to restrictions. It was incredibly fulfilling to play a part in making these guests’ experiences extra special, especially for those who had to postpone their weddings. Witnessing the joy of reuniting with family and friends after such a challenging time was truly heartwarming. In the span of one year, we successfully hosted over 100 weddings and created lots of memorable experiences for our guests which was extremely rewarding.

Looking for an exciting new career within the hospitality industry? Visit our careers page today.

Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre has achieved a gold ECOsmart award for its commitment to the environment.

It’s the second successful milestone reached in the hotel’s quest to be one of Birmingham’s greenest, following a gold Green Tourism award in 2023.

The new ECOsmart award from Greengage is the leading accreditation used by organisations around the globe aiming to protect and save our planet from climate change.

Julie Crump, Director of Operations, was full of praise for the team: “I’m really proud! Not only is it a recognition of all the hard work by the team to drive forward sustainable initiatives, but it recognises the values of our business to be a positive influence on our people and community. There’s a lot more we want to achieve, and this gives us the boost to continue, with the recognition that we are moving the business in the right direction.”

ECOsmart award involves a comprehensive survey which covers six key areas – energy and waste conservation; building construction; waste management; recycling and plastic; sustainable food and beverage management; rooms; consumables and facilities management, and corporate and social responsibility. The hotel submitted evidence via the ECOsmart portal, which was then reviewed by a team of experts from Greenage.

This included:

• Removing sauce sachets to reduce single-use plastic and replacing with planet-friendly condiments by Tracklements, for use in the bar and restaurant.
• Removing single-serve jars from breakfast served in the restaurant to reduce glass waste.
• Seamless waste management system which includes regular reviewing of buffet wastage; adding a food waste bin in staff canteen; new bins across the hotel which allows guests to separate their food, general and mixed recycling.
• Stocking sustainable drinks, vegan wines, and alcohol-free beers.
• Improving energy efficiency across the building which includes LED lighting, BMS system, motion sensor lighting, and regular review of equipment.
• Use of eco-friendly chemicals and refillable toiletries in bedrooms.
• Paddy & Scott’s coffee stocked across the hotel and bedrooms. Every coffee bag sold provides one meal for a child in coffee growing regions. The hotel contributed to 544 lunch box meals.
• Raised £1,000 for Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust as part of hotel’s Family Fun Day, annual event.
• All staff are given two days per year to volunteer in the community for a charity of their choice.
• No waste to landfill.

Director of Sales, Krishna Pastakia added: “Being part of the hotel’s sustainability journey has been truly rewarding. This achievement not only recognises our progress but also gives us motivation to continue leading the way in sustainable business practices.”

Find out more about how Edgbaston Park Hotel is paving the way to a greener future.

Last Friday marked a spectacular evening as the team at Edgbaston Park Hotel came together to celebrate hard work, dedication and passion that made 2023 an incredible year. The evening was a testament to the exceptional individuals and collective efforts of the entire team!

Richard Metcalfe, CEO at Edgbaston Park Hotel, commented: “A heartfelt thank you to our outstanding team for their hard work and commitment throughout the year. Without each team members dedication, we wouldn’t have achieved the success we did in 2023.”

The spotlight of the evening was on our remarkable award-winners:

• Team Member of the Year: Nash (C&B Team)
• Team of the Year: Maintenance Team
• Leader of the Year: Tracey (Rooms Division Manager)
• Guest Services Champions: Rhona (Reception Team) & Breakfast Team
• Walking a Mile: Richard C (Maintenance Team)
• Rising Stars: Natalia (C&B Team), Amy (Marketing Team) & Jenny (People & Culture Team)
• Working Together: Matt (Reservations Team)
• Always Aiming Higher: Clare (Revenue Team) & Lindsey (Finance Team)
• Team Evolution: Kitchen Team
• Unsung Hero: Linen Porter
  

To everyone’s surprise, members of the management team made a special appearance as the iconic “Spice Girls” and CEO, Richard, also took the stage dressed in an inflatable snowman costume and delivered a memorable performance of “Ice Ice Baby”. A big shoutout to the Housekeeping Team who brought their dance moves during the performance!

In addition to the awards ceremony, the Volunteering Committee at Edgbaston Park Hotel demonstrated its commitment to its local community. The Volunteering Committee presented to the team, showcasing the collective efforts to make a positive impact beyond the workplace. Furthermore, they are proud to announce that their team’s generosity knows no bounds. The raffle on the evening raised an impressive £383.00 for the Hotel’s chosen charity, Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust.

As they reflect on this Team Awards Night, they are filled with gratitude for their incredible team and excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Here’s to another year of success, collaboration, and making a difference – together!

Looking to join an award-winning Hotel? Visit our careers page today.

A Year of Sustainability, Community, and Culinary Excellence

In the heart of leafy Edgbaston, Edgbaston Park Hotel has been bustling with activity throughout the year, making significant strides in sustainability, community engagement, and culinary innovation. Follow the Hotel’s journey as they showcase the standout moments of a remarkable 2023.

Green Success

Thanks to the unwavering efforts of the sustainability committee, Edgbaston Park Hotel proudly secured a gold accreditation for Green Meetings from Green Tourism. This achievement is a testament to the Hotel’s commitment to environmental responsibility. The Hotel said farewell to single-use plastics and encouraged guests to opt for eco-friendly transport options.  

Strengthening Ties: Retaining Commercial Partnerships

Edgbaston Park Hotel has become a cornerstone of the Edgbaston community, retaining key commercial partnerships with Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Priory Club, and Edgbaston Golf Club. Together, they have worked collaboratively to enhance the local experience and put Edgbaston on the map as a destination.

Making a Difference: One Event at a Time

This year, the Hotel has been on a mission to give back to the local community, organising a series of impactful events. From a lively family fun day to a heartwarming MacMillan coffee morning, a spooktacular Halloween bake sale, and even contributing to the cleanliness of Edgbaston by litter picking. Through these events they have raised funds for some great causes including their chosen charity, Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, MacMillian Cancer Support, WWF and University Hospital Birmingham Burns Unit.

Unveiling New Menus

In June, taste buds were delighted with the launch of the new 1900 Bar menu, which featured an array of delectable light bites, sandwiches, and mouth-watering main courses. September saw the refresh of the 1900 Restaurant menu that combined classic flavours with a modern twist. At Edgbaston Park Hotel, they believe in offering a culinary experience that exceeds expectations.

Award-Winning Excellence

Edgbaston Park Hotel was overjoyed to announce their recent triumphs on the awards stage. The Hotel was awarded the prestigious Hotel of the Year Award at the Midlands Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards. Adding to the celebration, Director of Sales at Edgbaston Park Hotel, Krishna Pastakia, was honoured with the miaList Individual Award, recognising her remarkable contributions to the hospitality industry. But the excitement doesn’t end there! The Hotel also proudly secured the Highly Commended Green Initiative of the Year at the FamtasticRocks Awards, highlighting their commitment to sustainability.

A Great Place to Work

Edgbaston Park Hotel’s success this year extends beyond its physical accomplishments to its thriving people and culture. The Hotel has achieved a remarkable employee engagement score of 82.5%, showcasing how the Hotel has prioritised team well-being and created a positive working environment for all.

As 2023 comes to an end, Edgbaston Park Hotel proudly reflected on a year of sustainability, community, collaboration, and culinary excellence—achievements fuelled by the remarkable efforts of its dedicated team.

Explore exciting opportunities in the Hospitality industry by checking out our careers page today.

Edgbaston Park Hotel has been awarded the “Highly Commended Green Initiative of the Year” award at the FamtasticRocks Awards 2024 hosted at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.

Reflecting on their journey, in January 2023, Edgbaston Park Hotel proudly received the prestigious gold standard award for Green Meetings, from Green Tourism. This inspiring accomplishment means that the Hotel is now one of only 17 conference venues in the UK demonstrating the highest sustainability standards within the industry.

But their green revolution doesn’t end here! The dedication of the Hotel’s sustainability committee has led to the implementation of new sustainable initiatives and the FamtasticRocks “Highly Commended Green Initiative of the Year” award is a testament to this.

Corporate Sales Manager, Money Chopra from Edgbaston Park Hotel enthusiastically attended the awards evening and expressed her excitement upon receiving the award. Money commented, “This award is a significant achievement for the Hotel and acknowledges the dedication and hard work invested in our green initiatives from our entire team.”

The Hotel’s has set its sights on an ambitious goal – to achieve net zero carbon by 2035, aligning with the University of Birmingham’s commitment to attain net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

Well done to our team building and events partner Eventurous for winning Green Initiative of the Year and Team Building Company of the Year. We are proud to work in conjunction to deliver inspirational team building that doesn’t cost the earth.

Explore Edgbaston Park Hotel’s unwavering dedication to a greener, more sustainable future.

For the third year in a row, Edgbaston Park Hotel has been shortlisted as a regional finalist at The Wedding Industry Awards in the Wedding Venue (Hotel) category.

The Wedding Industry Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements within the wedding industry and are recognised as the only awards in the UK wedding industry that combines regional and national client voting and expert judges.

This is an incredible achievement that showcases the Hotel’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences for couples on their wedding day. Let’s delve into this remarkable achievement and what makes Edgbaston Park Hotel a top contender in the wedding industry:

• Two beautiful wedding venues in the West Midlands: Hornton Grange a charming historic exclusive use house and the Fry Suite, our largest contemporary venue, accommodating up to 200 guests.
• 188 bedrooms on site, all complete with plush interiors and the essentials you need for a great night’s sleep.
• Luxury, bespoke wedding packages and menus to plan a wedding day that’s truly your own.
• Friendly team of wedding experts on hand to help at every stage of the planning journey.

The Hotel is not only celebrating becoming a regional finalist but is also the proud host of the West Midlands Regional Awards event, set to take place in the bright, contemporary Fry Suite in November.

Tasmin Sales, Wedding Sales Executive at Edgbaston Park Hotel commented: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for this award. It’s a fantastic testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire team from coordination through to the delivery on the day. We can’t wait to continue to create unforgettable experiences for our couples!”

To find out more about weddings at Edgbaston Park Hotel, join our exclusive wedding evening on Monday 6^th November 2023 or Spring wedding showcase on Sunday 3^rd March 2024. Email the team [email protected] to find out more.

It was celebrations all round at the Meetings Industry Association Awards, as Edgbaston Park Hotel’s Director of Sales, Krishna Pastakia, was awarded the miaList Individual Award.

Hosted at the Park Plaza Victoria London, the team at Edgbaston Park Hotel celebrated Krishna’s success, enjoyed delicious food and drink and danced the night away!

This outstanding award win showcases Krishna’s astounding contribution to the hospitality industry. In the last 12 months, Krishna has:

• Driven new and significant enquiries to the hotel during the year; contributing to the success of the hotel’s best financial year yet.
• Established new commercial partnerships with Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Priory Club and Edgbaston Golf Club.
• Led the Green Tourism project, where the hotel achieved a gold accreditation for Green Meetings.
• Appointed as a new director to the beam leadership board.

After achieving this incredible award, Director of Sales, Krishna Pastakia commented: “It is an honour to be one of the winners for the individual category’ at the Meetings Industry Association. It is a hat-trick year for us!”

Looking for an award-winning hotel? Get in touch via [email protected] or visit our website for more information.