Acorn winners 2011 – Mike Auld

Age 29
Position General manager, Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells
Nominator Michael Warren
Proudest career moment Winning the Acorn award and taking up my first general manager position at Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells.
Greatest inspiration My parents - from a very young age they have inspired me to work hard, take pride in everything and believe that with this attitude you can achieve anything.

Mike Auld has spent eight years with the Hotel Du Vin group. He was offered the role of trainee manager at the Tunbridge Wells hotel, progressing through all departments.

In 2004, aged just 23, Auld became the company's youngest ever deputy general manager at its flagship Brighton property. At 28 he took up his first general manager position back at Hotel Du Vin Tunbridge Wells, where he is now responsible for over 60 staff and a £3.8m business.