Acorns 2019: Shelley Freeland, 28

Operations manager, Goodwood House, the Goodwood Group, Chichester, West Sussex

Nominator Lucy Harridge, entertaining and hospitality manager, the Goodwood Group

Proudest moment "Making the big step into this role in May 2017 and being responsible for delivering more than 120 events a year."

Greatest inspiration "The Duke of Richmond. The Goodwood Estate is a family business and it is incredible to see how they've built the brand and created such an amazing place to work. Andrew Coggings, entertaining and hospitality director, is another mentor who has been an incredible source of advice and support."

Why hospitality is a great career "No day is the same and the opportunities for growth and to experience new things keeps you engaged and motivated. You really do have the power to make someone's day and that's a great feeling."

In just seven years, Shelley Freeland has worked her way up from being a 19-year-old junior supervisor at Goodwood Group's Aerodrome Café to operations manager of the estate's Goodwood House, which hosts events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Last year she showed her mettle, making a series of difficult decisions that led to savings of more than £100,000 for the year. Freeland is also an instrumental member of the sales and marketing action groups, which focus on the customer experience, and was instrumental in improvements in wedding bookings, which quadrupled in 2018. Freeland's team finished the year £850,000 up on budgeted revenue and £350,000 up on earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (6% up on budget). As a result, Freeland and her team won the Goodwood Team of the Year award.

Freeland's goal is to become general manager of Goodwood House and Motor Circuit Catering before she turns 30.