Member Article

Yorkshire saleswoman lands new role at 68

A Yorkshire saleswoman has defied convention landing her latest job at the age of 68.

Starboard Hotels, who operate Quality Hotel Leeds Selby Fork and the Days Inn Wetherby, have recruited Margaret Hirst as sales and marketing executive.

The 68-year-old says she was amazed to have landed the role as she had not undergone a formal interview in nearly 20 years.

Margaret impressed bosses at the firm with her knowledge and experience of the Leeds hotel sector, and wider business community.

Before meeting with Starboard bosses, Margaret had been made redundant from her job at a rival Leeds hotel - a post she had held for five years and doubled the business year-on-year.

She said: “My daughter said she didn’t think I’d get another job. I’ve suffered from rheumatoid arthritis in the past, but thanks to constantly improving medication it doesn’t affect me now.

“Getting a job is just amazing. I’d not had a formal interview in nearly 20 years as people had always asked me to come and work for them. This is certainly not the norm and I’m gobsmacked.

“Most older people now work for someone younger. Because I’d worked for myself in my last job - being able to step back and build a relationship with someone else has been brilliant.”

Margaret will now work with sales manager Sarah Johnston to build the business across the two Starboard hotels.

Sarah was recently awarded Hotel Team Member of the Year at the 2013 Choice Hotels Convention.

She said: “Margaret is an absolute pleasure to work with, her wealth of experience and knowledge in the industry is absolutely second to none.

“There was no hesitation at all in recruiting Margaret, her personality shone through during our meeting and I feel Margaret and I will make a fantastic team and look forward to sharing many successes with her.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .