The Grand, Eastbourne, a member of Accessible Hospitality Alliance (aha), has announced the appointment of Laura Barham, Front Office Manager, as its Access Champion.
As Front Office Manager, Barham leads the team responsible for welcoming guests to the hotel, managing arrivals and departures, ensuring every guest receives the highest standards of servicethroughout their stay.
Her appointment reflects the importance front-of-house teams play in creating hospitality experiences where every guest feels welcome.
Laura Barham, Front Office Manager and Access Champion, The Grand, Eastbourne, said: “I feel very privileged to have been chosen as the Access Champion for The Grand Hotel. Accessibility is such an important part of any hotel, and I feel with the help of my fellow champions we shall make great progress within the hospitality industry. The guest experience is a pivotal part of my role as Front Office Manager, and I look forward to furthering my knowledge on accessibility.”
Accessibility is at the very centre of guest experience, shaped by people, communication and understanding. As the first point of contact for guests, front office teams are often the first to understand individual requirements and help translate them into positive guest experiences.
As The Grand, Eastbourne’s Access Champion, Laura joins The Access Champions Collective, a growing community of professionals from across the UK hospitality sector who are sharing operational experience and practical learning to help accelerate accessibility progress.
The appointment reflects The Grand, Eastbourne’s commitment to inclusive guest experience and adds a valuable front-office perspective to The Access Champions Collective.
Charlotte Evans, Group Partnerships Director, Accessible Hospitality Alliance, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Laura to The Access Champions Collective. As Front Office Manager at The Grand, Eastbourne, part of Elite Hotels, she brings a valuable guest-facing perspective to accessibility. Her enthusiasm, commitment to inclusive guest experiences and dedication to championing positive change make her a fantastic addition to the Collective.”
The appointment further strengthens The Access Champions Collective, which now brings together professionals from a broad range of hospitality disciplines including operations, concierge, foodservice, sustainability, health and safety, events and front office management. Together they are helping ensure accessibility remains an active and evolving conversation within hospitality businesses across the UK.