Wayne Jensen

General manager,  Buckatree Hall Hotel

IN A NUTSHELL, WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO? We provide high quality accommodation in traditional surroundings with; bar, restaurant, meeting rooms and banqueting facilities

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR CURRENT JOB? Five years

EXPLAIN A TYPICAL WEEK IN YOUR WORKING LIFE: It’s a cliché but, the reason I love this industry and my job is because there is no typical week. For sure there are set jobs that need to be done all the time such as, forecasting, sales & marketing, HR, admin and so on but you never know who is going to come through the door next!

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING YOUR INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW? As a hotel sector we are all striving to impress and win over potential new business in addition to maintaining our regular client base.  It is an industry that is very competitive and some areas, such as weddings are becoming increasingly difficult to compete with.  There has been an upsurge in venues that are now making weddings their primary, if not only focus.

AND WHAT ARE THE BIG OPPORTUNITIES? Being a diverse operation is key for Buckatree Hall.  We are careful not to put all of our eggs in one basket! Growing all areas of the business and maintaining high standards is the key to our continued success. 

HOW DO YOU GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR STAFF? We are a relatively small hotel with a small management structure, therefore it is important that individuals take responsibility and contribute ideas to ensure we are constantly moving forward.  Staff are encouraged to get involved.  Nobody is a ‘number’. We treat our guests as individuals so it is only right that our staff are extended the same courtesy.

WHAT WAS YOUR LAST MEETING ABOUT, HOW LONG DID IT LAST, AND WAS IT PRODUCTIVE? Cost management.  The importance of understanding how much it costs to run our hotel.  From the cost of a paper napkin to the payroll.  When it is not actually your money it is easy to forget the value of it.  After a very productive hour we are soon back on track.

HOW MANY EMAILS DO YOU GET IN A DAY, AND HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE TO READ THEM? Including junk I would say 40-60.  It was my New Year’s resolution this year to ‘un-subscribe’ to all of the ones I never asked for in the first place!  I always make time to respond, or delete!

DO YOU ANSWER WORK CALLS OR EMAILS AT HOME? WHAT’S THE RIGHT WORK-LIFE BALANCE?  It is important that the team are able to get hold of me and I am never annoyed if I get a call on my day off.  It is also important that customers can get hold of me.  Whilst I do not work 24 hours a day I run a business that is open 24-7.  However, in recent years I have become better at waiting until the next day to respond.

HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU? Firm but fair. Approachable, fun at times but also a bit grumpy!

BREXIT – WHAT’S YOUR VIEW OF WHAT IT’S ALL GOING TO MEAN? Wow, Brexit. How many of us would have voted to stay if we knew the mess it was going to cause! 

HIGHLIGHTS OR LOWLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?   Running the Buckatree and for 5 years in a row moving forward.  Lowlights.  Missing Christmas Day with my family nearly every year for over 20 years. 

PET HATES? Mess. I’m not OCD or anything but why cant people put things away, arrrrrh!

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Make more friends. 

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? I enjoy a pint or two down my local with my wife and two girls whilst the Sunday roast slow cooks in the oven.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE SHROPSHIRE BUSINESS COMMUNITY? Having worked all over the country I can say in all honestly that it’s the people.  As a Patron member of the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce I am lucky to mix with CEO’s, Directors and influential business leaders who take the time to listen and genuinely take an interest in you.  Both personally and professionally.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW. My surname, Jenson.  Was miss-spelt until I was about 18.  It is actually Jensen, however, I have continue to spell it Jenson all of my life.  To this day I have issues with ID.  My marriage certificate is Jenson, formally known as Jensen!

YOU CAN TAKE ONE BOOK, ONE FILM AND ONE CD ONTO A DESERT ISLAND – WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Book: Guy Martin, When You Dead You Dead. Film: Shawshank Redemption. CD: Best of the 80’s!

YOUR FIVE DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE? My wife, Gordon Ramsey, Guy Martin, Lord Sugar & Holly Willoughby.

WHAT WOULD YOU COOK FOR THEM? Nothing, Gordon can do the cooking!