Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel is delighted to announce the appointment of Jessica Ferreira as its Executive Assistant General Manager. Ferreira brings with her a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, and prior experience with the Rezidor Group, of which Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel is a part of.
Ferreira’s career began when she was waitressing at the Protea Edward Hotel in Durban. Management saw the potential in her and offered her a traineeship, which she completed in 2005. After that, she took on the role of Front Desk Supervisor at the Protea Hotel Wanderers. She moved on because she wanted to gain experience at an international hotel group, so she took up the position of Assistant Front Office Manager at the Intercontinental in Sandton. She was soon promoted to Front Office Manager and stayed there through the excitement and learning potential of the 2010 World Cup.
After that, she was headhunted by the Radisson Blu Sandton, where she took on the role of Front Office Manager, and was then promoted to Rooms Division Manager, and then finally, Executive Assistant Manager in charge of the Rooms Division. She was there for seven and a half years before joining the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel.
“It was time for a change in environment and a new challenge – a vacancy for my current position Executive Assistant Manager at Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel became available, so I applied and got the job working under General Manager Werner Geere’s leadership.
She says that the hotel offers a great working environment and that everyone has been very welcoming. “Although the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel represents a new challenge, I bring with me a wealth of experience, having worked at the Rezidor Group before. I believe my systems knowledge and background in the company will be valuable in my new position.”
Ferreira says that she enjoys working in hospitality because no day is ever the same, and because she enjoys working with people – but in face-to-face interactions with guests and in working with staff. “It’s important to take a personal interest in staff, leading by example and communicating really well. I believe in taking pride in what I do every day, so that it filters down to all the teams in all our departments.”
For visiting guests, she is proud to recommend a hearty South African steak off the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel’s menu – served medium rare with a crisp side salad and locally sourced vegetables. “We’re proud to be using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, prepared beautifully,” she says.
Although Ferreira is new at her job, she’s already making a difference. Her influence will continue to be felt as she grows into her new position. “The latest Rezidor campaign is ‘Every Moment Matters’, and I would like to live those values and take the hotel from being good to great. I would like to share the knowledge I have gained working for the hotel group for the last seven years and make a positive impact on operations and guests,” she concludes.
About Radisson Blu®
Radisson Blu® is one of the world’s leading hotel brands with 300 hotels in operation in 69 countries and territories. Radisson Blu’s vibrant, contemporary and engaging hospitality is characterized by a unique Yes I Can!SM service philosophy, and all of its first class hotels offer a range of signature features that are empathetic to the challenges of modern travel, including the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Distinguished the world over as the brand with Hotels Designed to Say YES!SM, Radisson Blu offers a vivid visual celebration of leading-edge style where the delight is in the detail. Radisson Blu hotels are located in prime locations in major cities, airport gateways and leisure destinations across the world.
Radisson Blu is a part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which also includes Quorvus Collection, Radisson®, Radisson RED, Park Plaza®, Park Inn® by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM. For reservations and more information visit, www.radissonblu.com. Connect with Radisson Blu on social media: @RadissonBlu on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook.com/RadissonBlu.
