The Marsham Court Hotel’s new trainee managers are a double act of Eastern and Western talent.
Viktor Ilic from Serbia and Shayne Bailey from Bournemouth, join the former Hotel of the Year from this month (June) and will be training across all departments before eventually leading the team at the 95-bedroom hotel.
Viktor Ilic, 25, grew up in a small town in the east of Serbia, called Donji Milanovac, and came to Bournemouth in May 2017.
He explained: “After High School, I went to study hospitality and management at the University of Belgrade. But my father became sick and I had to go home to support him.”
Serbia is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with high living costs but very low wages.
Viktor continued: “I decided to come to Bournemouth because I have family here and wanted to better myself in a place where hard work is appreciated and rewarded.
“I worked as a barman at the Hallmark Hotel on the East Cliff and the Durley Dean Hotel, but I believe I have the drive and determination to be an excellent hotel manager.
“I also believe that if you show what you can do, have hope and do your best, someone will notice one day, and Rosie Wallace and her family at the Marsham Court Hotel have done just that, by offering to train me as a manager.”
Hailing from much closer to home is trainee manager Shayne Bailey, 23, from Bournemouth.
Shayne was born in Christchurch, and took a four-year BA Hons degree in Tourism Management at Bournemouth University, during which she enjoyed a one-year work placement as a Guest Relations Executive at Norwegian Cruise Line in Southampton.
She said: “I’m thrilled to have been given this opportunity.
“The Marsham Court is extremely well respected in local hospitality and I am excited about working alongside Viktor across the different departments and learning as much as I can about excellent customer service.”
MD Rosie Wallace, whose family have owned and operated the Marsham Court for more than 30 years, said: “Shayne and Viktor may have taken very different paths to reach us, but they both have drive and determination in spades. I’ve no doubt they will be a great asset to our management team.”
Media information from Debbie Granville on: 07884 657782 or email: Debbie.granville@deepsouthmedia.co.uk
