LHVA Awards 2023: Meet the award-winning Leeds Marriott Hotel worker who got offered a job by Michael Buble

Leeds Hotel & Venues Association (LHVA) held its annual awards event at the Royal Armouries, to celebrate the people that work in the city’s vibrant hospitality scene and recognise the important contribution the sector makes to the city’s economy.

The nine award categories include Front of House Customer Service, Rising Star, Top Team and Unsung Hero. Jane Atkinson, of the Leeds Marriott Hotel, scooped the People’s Choice Award – voted by readers of the Yorkshire Evening Post.

As the group’s co-coordinator, Jane is responsible for looking after all of the group’s business – and has worked at the hotel for a quarter of a century. She has recently been selected to join a small working party focusing on entertainment business for the whole of Marriott UK, which she called a huge honour.

Jane has had many memorable moments across her 25-year career, including the time she helped to resuscitate a guest who had collapsed. The medical team that attended confirmed her swift, calm actions had helped to save the lady’s life.

Jane also had a great working relationship with the team looking after Michael Bublé when he stayed at the hotel. Mr Bublé was so impressed with the exceptional customer service he received from Jane that he offered her a job.

Leanne Stocks, of Headingley Stadium, won the award for Best Newcomer and Youssef Boulfale’s seventeen years of exceptional customer service at Oulton Hall was recognised when he won the Chairman’s Choice Award.

LHVA chairman Wayne Topley said: “This is a fantastic evening when we come together to celebrate the teams and people that make up the city’s vibrant hospitality sector. It is our opportunity to celebrate those who work behind the scenes, creating a warm welcome to guests and visitors to the city.

“The UK economy grew 0.2% over the last quarter, stimulated by the hospitality sector, which shows just how important it is to the economy. There are high winds ahead though, as operating costs, particularly food and fuel, are really biting the sector.

"That said, we are getting ready for a packed summer ahead with the Leeds Bear Hunt, Leeds 2023 and Leeds International Festival of Ideas, bringing visitors to the city. You can guarantee that everyone of the guests at the LHVA awards will be playing a large part in providing them with a very warm welcome.”

Radio and TV presenter Stephanie Hirst hosted the awards and the newly appointed Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Al Garthwaite, acknowledged the great contribution that hospitality workers made to the city. Guests enjoyed a three-course dinner and a performance from Leeds-based singer-songwriter, Akin Amusan, who recently featured the BBC One series Pitch Battle as part of the winning group, Leeds Contemporary Singers.