Acorns 2019: Liam Hatcher, 28

Senior regional trainer (London), CH&Co

Nominator Alison Gilbert, group people and development director, CH&Co

Proudest moment "I led the partnership of CH&Co and the Princes Trust's Get into Hospitality Programme. I am always proud to offer development workshops to young people during their two weeks' work experience and then on the last day to offer them a permanent role."

Greatest inspiration "My parents, for their guidance and support. Alison Gilbert, CH&Co senior people development business partner, has inspired me with her success and she is my go-to when I need a chat, advice or honest feedback."

Why hospitality is a great career "No day is the same and you always learn something new and put a smile on someone's face. The diversity allows you to build great relationships with people. And the fact I've been able to move from events operations to people shows there's freedom to grow your expertise."

Compass snapped up 17-year-old Liam Hatcher and he was soon supervising the £15,000-a-day turnover restaurant at Leeds Castle in Kent. His next stop was events manager, running events for up to 280 guests and managing a 25-strong team. In 2013, the castle scooped New Restaurant of the Year from OpenTable, thanks to a 60-cover fine-dining experience he created on a £1,000 budget.

In 2014, aged 24, he joined CH&Co as conference and banqueting manager, responsible for £230,000 turnover. By 2017, he'd moved into a regional trainer role and earned a promotion to senior regional trainer in 2018 and then his current role in November.

Hatcher is now responsible for training and HR across 60% of the business and his company-wide bespoke training programme, World Class Customer Service Skills, has been certified as an industry-recognised qualification.

As well as more quirky initiatives, such as training staff in etiquette for the Buckingham Palace garden parties, Hatcher has implemented a new induction process, the Perfect Start, to help integrate new employees. He has also helped to set up an LGBTQ+ committee, which is aiming for Stonewall accreditation.