Hotel Cateys 2025: Extra Mile Award – Celtic Manor Resort

The winner of the Extra Mile Award has been praised for its “consistent, heartfelt commitment” to supporting its local community following a charitable effort that has seen its employees launch initiatives to offer support, promote health and provide opportunities in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

The Celtic Manor Resort has had a monumental impact on those living in the city and county of Newport in South Wales, with every team across the business using their skills and know-how to enhance the lives of the city’s residents.  

Alassim Mohamed, strategic lead, Business in the Community – Newport Place Programme, says: “I’ve had the privilege of seeing the Celtic Collection’s impact in Newport up close, and it’s been nothing short of inspiring. Their support has reached every corner of the community, from tackling food poverty and improving access to education and training, to creating spaces that bring people together and providing care, clothing and comfort to those who need it most.

“They’ve used their expertise, creativity and resources to make a tangible difference, not just through one initiative, but through a consistent, heartfelt commitment to Newport and its people. The people of this city will never forget the generosity, compassion and determination the Celtic Collection has shown. They are truly driving real, transformational change, proving what’s possible when a business leads with purpose and heart.”

Former chief executive of the Celtic Manor Resort, Ian Edwards, who sadly passed away last year, had partnered with the Newport Place Programme after visiting underprivileged communities within the city.

The programme asks local leaders to drive sustainable economic, social and environmental change and in the three years since signing up Celtic Manor Resort has become an exemplar of what can be achieved.

Almost all of the hotel’s 900 employees have donated their time to create meaningful change that will continue to impact the people of Newport for years to come.

For example, the resort’s chefs have prepared and cooked more than 77,000 meals for homeless and vulnerable people. The conference and banqueting team have organised an annual festive extravaganza experience for several hundred disadvantaged children. 

The estates team volunteered time and expertise to renovate derelict spaces into a community allotment and gardens, and the IT team donated and installed computers and printers at a local community centre, as well as installing Wi-Fi in a local hostel.

Meanwhile the maintenance team upcycled furniture for community groups and the operations and support service teams ran regular clothes and toy donation drives.

On top of this, the resort has donated a commercial kitchen to a community centre and delivered Food Hygiene and Safety training to boost individuals’ employability. It has also hosted and sponsored the Gareth Bale Festival of Sport, providing recreational opportunities for underprivileged children.

What stands Celtic Manor apart is its work to understand the needs of disadvantaged people in its community and provide support that will have a meaningful and lasting impact. Its employees have responded to acute calls for support, created employment opportunities and played a role in nurturing the mental and physical help of the city’s residents.

Beyond its own initiatives, team members have also been quick to jump in when others have required expertise or logistical support, uniting for the benefit of the wider community.