Double success for Rockliffe Hall apprentice

Andrew Jennison, IT Apprentice at Rockliffe Hall, has two reasons to celebrate this week.

He’s been named Best Newcomer at the North East Hotels Association Excellence Awards and has also been given a permanent contract as IT Technician at the five star resort.

Andrew, 20, from Bishop Auckland, joined Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth, near Darlington, in April last year and has already proved himself to be a valued member of the Rockliffe Hall team. He collected his award at a glittering ceremony at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, hosted by BBC News presenter, Steph McGovern, on Sunday 19^th May.

Five other members of Rockliffe Hall staff were also shortlisted for awards, including Service Excellence, Support Services and Rising Star.

The awards, now in their 9^th year, celebrate the achievements of the brightest and best hospitality service providers in the region who are delivering outstanding service to guests and their local communities at some of the region’s best-known hotels.

Andrew says: “I was over the moon to be shortlisted for this award and couldn’t believe it when they announced me as the winner! It’s the first awards I’ve been put forward for and I feel very privileged to have come away with the prize. It was a brilliant night. I’m also thrilled to have completed my apprenticeship and to have been offered a permanent contract at Rockliffe Hall.”

Eamonn Elliott, Rockliffe Hall’s Chief Executive, says: “This is a fabulous achievement for Andrew, one of our youngest team members, to win the Best Newcomer award. He is a real asset to the resort and I’m delighted that we have now offered him the IT Technician position at Rockliffe. It was also fantastic for so many Rockliffe team members, yet again, to be shortlisted for these awards and just confirms that we have some exceptional staff at Rockliffe Hall.”

The North East Hotels Association is believed to be the biggest of its kind in England, representing 50 of the region’s best-known hotels including internationally and nationally recognised chains, and leading independent hotels.