Acorns 2020: Jemma Wade, 29

Executive assistant and projects manager, London Marriott Hotel County Hall

Nominator Govert Deketh

Jemma Wade is an excellent all-rounder and has carved herself a niche at London Marriott Hotel County Hall. Having started her career at London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, she was quickly identified as future talent and offered a spot on Marriott's graduate programme.

Eighteen months later she was promoted to front desk manager at Marriott County Hall where she initiated a new guest relations programme. In this role she saw the team through a renovation and was a key contributor to the guest service elevation programme, resulting in a Best Repositioning Campaign award. She then took on the role of personal assistant to the general manager in 2018, before being promoted to executive assistant in recognition of her commitment to the hotel achieving 98% in its 2019 brand standard audit.

Not satisfied with this, Wade has continued to push quality standards. During her chairmanship of Marriott's TakeCare team and Junior Business Council UK, the hotel has managed to achieve the highest level of TakeCare certification.

In view of the recent time spent locked out of hospitality, what did you miss the most?

The people, 100%. It takes a very special person to work in this industry and we surround ourselves with those like-minded individuals. They become like family, who you share your fears and dreams with. It was hard to be separated from them. Thank goodness for technology to keep us in contact.

Do you think the hospitality industry could be more sustainable? Not just in terms of plastics and waste but in terms of careers and diversity, training and growth?

There is so much scope for international opportunities, whether it is jobs or training with international experts. Hospitality leaders across the globe must find ways for the sector to become as important to governments as other industries and gain their support in visa applications.