Powered by People: How Our Employer Brand Shapes Life at The QHotels Collection

By Rosie Frisby

In hospitality, what guests see is only part of the story. Behind every seamless event, warm welcome and memorable stay is a team working with pace, precision and pride. While guest experience defines reputation, it is the energy, expertise and collaboration of our people that truly sustain it.

At The QHotels Collection, our Employer Brand is shaped daily by the lived experiences of teams across 18 hotels and two central offices across England and Scotland. It reflects the reality of working in a dynamic, resort-style environment, one that spans hospitality, wellbeing and commercial operations.

Rather than telling people what it’s like to work here, we believe in showing them.

Life Across the Collection

Working at Q is about more than a job. It’s about being part of a diverse collection where every role contributes to exceptional experiences, from the buzz of a busy restaurant to a beautifully delivered wedding, the early preparation of our golf courses, or the calm expertise of our spa teams.

Across the collection, teams work side by side to deliver memorable stays and distinctive resort experiences. It’s this blend of hospitality and leisure expertise that creates a dynamic working environment and a wide spectrum of career pathways that extend far beyond traditional hotel roles.

What sets us apart is how our culture is lived daily. Individuality is encouraged. Curiosity is celebrated. Passion drives every interaction, whether delivering exceptional service, maintaining high standards behind the scenes, or supporting colleagues during peak trading.

Life at Q is fast paced, collaborative and full of opportunity. Mobility across hotels, cross-department projects, specialist training and apprenticeships mean people at all levels can broaden their skills, explore new areas of the business and shape careers that reflect their ambitions. The scale and diversity of the collection mean progression doesn’t have to mean leaving, it can mean moving, stretching and growing within.

Voices from Across the Collection

The heart of Q is its people. Their ideas, achievements and everyday moments bring our Employer Brand to life.

James Hodson, Level 2 Commis Chef Graduate:
“When I first joined the apprenticeship, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it has been an incredible journey. The hands-on kitchen experience and masterclasses gave me the skills, confidence, and resilience to thrive in a busy professional environment. Every stage pushed me to improve and showed that with dedication and passion, you can keep progressing.”

Keith Pickard, Director of Golf, Health Club & Spa:
“At Q, there are incredible opportunities to grow across all areas of the collection, from golf and spa to leisure and wellbeing. Our teams develop practical skills, operational knowledge, and leadership experience, gaining confidence to take the next step in their careers. I’m proud to see people progress and thrive, knowing they are shaping memorable experiences for our guests and members along the way.”

Sarah Bayes, Restaurant Manager:
“I joined Q seven years ago and have progressed through several roles to become Restaurant Manager. Along the way I’ve developed strong operational knowledge, commercial focus and the confidence to lead through change. My goal is to become a Hotel General Manager, and what motivates me most is building high-performing teams that deliver results while enjoying the journey together.”

Together, these stories highlight the range of career pathways available, from structured apprenticeships to senior operational leadership, and demonstrate how ambition, resilience and opportunity combine across the collection.

Living Our Values

At The QHotels Collection, our five values guide everything we do:

Individual – We celebrate the unique skills, perspectives and personalities each person brings.

Curious – We encourage learning, innovation and the confidence to ask questions and challenge how we work.

Passionate – Energy and care are evident in every interaction, even in the busiest moments.

Proud – We take ownership, uphold high standards and celebrate achievements.

Together – Collaboration underpins success, with teams supporting one another across departments and locations.

These values are not aspirational statements. They are visible in how teams support one another, deliver for guests and uphold standards across every part of the business. They create a shared culture where expectations are clear, support is consistent, and success is collective.

Creating Growth Through Learning

Development is central to life at Q. Apprenticeships and specialist training programmes nurture talent across hospitality, leisure and central functions. Structured, hands-on learning is paired with recognised qualifications and early responsibility, building both technical expertise and commercial awareness.

Career progression extends across departments and disciplines. The breadth of the collection allows careers to evolve in multiple directions, supported by mentoring, operational exposure and ongoing development.

Growth at The QHotels Collection is tangible, visible and actively supported, because when people grow, the business grows with them.

Looking Ahead

As The QHotels Collection continues to evolve, our focus remains on connection, development and operational excellence. The Employer Brand is shaped by the people who live it each day, their ambition, collaboration and creativity.

Hospitality is ultimately about people. Across our hotels, leisure settings and central teams, stories of teamwork, innovation and shared ambition unfold daily, creating an environment where careers can thrive while delivering experiences that truly stand out.

To explore current vacancies and learn more about careers with The QHotels Collection, visit: https://www.qhotels.co.uk/careers/ and discover where your journey could begin.