Acorn Awards 2024: Lauren Murie, 29, people operations manager, Dakota Edinburgh

Age 29

Position People operations manager, Dakota Edinburgh

Nominator Katie Forrest, head of engagement, learning and development, Dakota Hotels

At the age of 15, Lauren Murie completed a week-long school placement at Dakota Edinburgh. It was enough for her to catch the hospitality bug and she continued working part-time during her school years.

Following that, Murie decided to undertake a Modern Apprenticeship and aged 19, on completing her front of house apprenticeship, she was promoted to reception manager.

As Dakota grew, so did Murie and her role. She supported openings in Glasgow and Leeds, training the team, setting up procedures and bringing the Dakota culture along with her.

In 2022, she moved over from rooms division manager at Dakota Edinburgh to people development manager. It was a huge learning curve, but Murie’s ambition coupled with her knowledge of the brand and hotel operations meant she took it in her stride. In 2024 Murie has taken on her latest role as people operations manager, combining her expertise of two sides of a hotel – people and operations.

With her own career journey bringing such success, it’s no wonder Murie advocates for apprenticeships and mentors team members, resulting in Dakota Edinburgh supporting 12 apprentices in the past year.

To cultivate a talent pipeline, Murie has become a Springboard Ambassador and has also established strong relationships with local employability programmes and schools. Her support of staff development and wellbeing have resulted in a 24% decrease in staff turnover.

Murie seamlessly moves between operational responsibilities as a duty manager and fulfilling her supportive role within the people team. In fact, even in her first year as people development manager, Murie worked alongside the team on the floor on Christmas Day.

Who has been your biggest champion in the industry?

"Arlene Budge, my former rooms division manager, has been my mentor from day one. Her passion and enthusiasm for the industry inspired me to further both my career and education through Modern Apprenticeships. She was, and remains, my biggest cheerleader and the person who always pushes me out of my comfort zone."

How do you get the best out of your team?

"I’ve experienced all operational departments of the hotel, which has helped me to understand different perspectives and to take a well-rounded approach to any situation. I believe my team recognise this, which is a great motivator during the good and the more challenging times. This, along with a passion for people, supporting health and wellbeing, showing appreciation, and being an advocate for continuous personal development has resulted in a happy and driven team."