Bloc magazine winter 24-25

62 Meeting the team. How did you come to work at Bloc? When I was much younger, in 2018, I was working in retail and wanted to try something different. The thought ofworking in Hospitality had always intrigued me, so I started looking for new opportunities. I came across Bloc advertising roles for new team members, so I applied, and as they say - the rest is history. I've been working here at Bloc ever since. How does hotel work differ to other jobs you've had? I've discovered that one of my biggest strengths is being a people person, so working at Bloc is a perfect fit for me. Compared to my previous roles, every day is different, dealing with different people and challenges, requiring different approaches and skills to make sure every guest has a truly memorable stay. What are the best bits about becoming part of the Bloc team? Working at Bloc is like being part of a extended family. Everyone is caring and supportive, while dedicated to helping everyone succeed at their job. We all get on so well too, which is crucial when working at a hotel, as at times you'll often find departments calling on other departments for help and support during busier times. What are the most important aspects of your role? Bloc is passionate about offering the best guest experience possible. In my role as Guest Experience Leader, it's my job to communicate directly with guests when they need us, to try and anticipate their every need and also pass on any feedback for future improvements to other departments. What has been your greatest accomplishment at Bloc? Without a doubt, my greatest accomplishment at Bloc was when I was promoted to my current position. My journey originally started as a reception team member, but after about a year or so, a new "Guest Experience Leader" position became available and have loved it ever since! I've grown so much since, both personally and professionally, learning more about our guests wants and needs, and how to best deliver on those expectations. What is the biggest challenge you have faced? A delayed or cancelled flight is a travellers worst nightmare, so having a hotel inside one of the UK's busiest airports can really challenging when there are significant travel disruptions. Guests arrive sleep deprived, frustrated and disappointed. This is when it is our job to make their bad day that little bit better, providing those most in need with a relaxing and restful stay. Who inspires you and why? Since joining Bloc,watchingmy friends and colleagues progress within the company is what inspires me the most. It's a real pleasure to work alongside each and every one of them. Their continued dedication to doing the best job possible, sometimes during very stressful situations, all the while doing so with a smile on their face is a testament to their enthusiasm and commitment. What is your most memorable experience at Bloc? I always remember when we had a family coming to stay with us at Gatwick. They had gotten in touch weeks before to say they were surprising their children with a very special trip to Disneyland. To make the surprise even more magical, we created a little treasure hunt around their room, with clues about their final destination. I was also lucky enough to check them in on the day, and seeing their excited little faces when they came down later for dinner made it all worth while. In this issue we introduce Jade Harris, Guest Experience Leader at Bloc Head Office.