QMU student scoops top prize in Hotel Scholarship Scheme

QMU STUDENT SCOOPS TOP PRIZE IN NATIONAL HOTEL SCHOLARSHIP
SCHEME

A retired police officer from Glasgow who is working towards
a new career in hospitality has scooped the top prize in Apex Hotels’ annual
scholarship scheme.

Mary Kelly, 54, who lives in Glasgow and studies Hospitality
and Tourism at Queen Margaret University (QMU), has been awarded a £3,000
bursary as part of the QMU Springford Scholarship.

Established in 2015, the QMU Springford Scholarship sees
Apex Hotels partner with the university to give four students studying
Hospitality and Tourism or Events Management the opportunity to gain invaluable
industry experience in the hotel group’s Glasgow or Edinburgh properties.

Students selected for the 11-week scholarship are paid an
hourly wage and awarded £1,000. During the placement, students follow a varied
timetable, rotating across multiple areas of the business including
housekeeping, F&B, reception, sales, HR, Reservations, Events and
Marketing.

The programme culminates in a final presentation where
students are asked to present their findings and business recommendations.
Mary, who undertook her placement at Apex City of Glasgow, scooped the top
prize and was awarded with the £3,000 bursary.

She has also secured a part-time role at the Glasgow hotel
as she embarks on the final year of her studies.

Mary said: “Undertaking the QMU Springford Scholarship has
been a fantastic experience for me – and to be selected as the winner of the
scheme’s top prize is just wonderful. I took the option to retire early from my
previous career in the police force and wanted to do something different, so
the hospitality industry seemed perfect.

“Through the scholarship I’ve had the opportunity to learn
about different areas of the business and gain some real world experience to
help me kick-start my second career.”

Danielle Ramsay, Apex Group Recruitment Manager, said: “The
QMU Springford Scholarship was set up to provide students with an opportunity
to gain industry experience in hospitality, which is increasingly invaluable in
today’s competitive graduate job market. Mary was a standout student during her
time on the placement and showed a real passion for the industry. I have no
doubt that she will excel in her final year at university.”

Lindsay Sturrock, GM at Apex City of Glasgow, said: “Mary
has been a fantastic addition to our team and has built great working
relationships over the last few months. We are delighted that she has been selected
as the top scholarship student across the portfolio – which is testament to the
hard work and passion for hospitality that she has demonstrated – and we’re
thrilled to welcome her to the team in Glasgow as she starts the final year of
her studies.”