From pulling pints to executive desk, Nairn woman is tipped for top with holiday giant Parkdean
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A FORMER duty manager who began her career pulling pints and working on reception has been earmarked as a future leader of the holiday giant Parkdean Resorts.
Elaine Airth, from Nairn, started her career at the company’s Lochloy Park at the popular resort location on the East Beach.
In November 2019, she made the step up to regional operations manager overseeing the operation of four holiday parks in Scotland.
Elaine was one of seven senior managers across the business selected to enrol on a bespoke talent development programme.
She started her time at Parkdean Resorts in Nairn in 2004 where she worked across several departments helping the day-to-day operations of the park run smoothly, including working behind the bar, and on reception.
She moved up the ranks at Nairn before heading to Wemyss Bay as deputy general manager and then becoming the youngest general manager in the company at the time at Tummel Valley. During her time there, she was named Parkdean’s general manager of the year, before moving back to Wemyss Bay and then on to Southerness Holiday Park.
The first of its kind in the holiday park sector, the mastering business leadership programme, created in partnership with Cranfield Executive Development, will see each delegate complete Cranfield’s breakthrough leadership programme, which will be followed by a further development course.
Elaine said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to further develop myself and progress in my career. During my time at Parkdean, I’ve had a real grounding in the day-to-day workings of parks which I have absolutely loved and still use this experience frequently in my current role. This course will really help me improve my strategic thinking, which will help me tremendously in my current role and in the future.
“When I started at Nairn Lochloy, a short drive from where my parents still live, I would never have believed I’d get to where I am now. The support and mentoring I’ve received throughout my time at Parkdean has been crucial to my development. At each step of the way my managers have given me that push and believed in me to take that next step in my career.”
Lisa Charles-Jones, HR director at Parkdean Resorts, said: “Elaine’s story is testament to her hard work and ability, and demonstrates the opportunity for development and a fulfilling career here at Parkdean and in the hospitality sector.
“We hope she will inspire many more to continue to work their way up the ranks at Parkdean Resorts.”
