CEO MONTHLY / Female CEO of the Year Awards 2023 22 Hospitality CEO of the Year 2023 (Buckinghamshire): Holly Saunders Delivering luxury private events and experiences to a range of clients, and overseeing one of Buckinghamshire’s most enigmatic hotels, Waddesdon Enterprises captures the very essence of fairytale whimsy. From hosting weddings to corporate events, the business promises a magical setting that’s simply impossible to forget. In charge of seeing that Waddesdon Enterprises realises its full potential is Holly Saunders – a woman whose resilience knows no bounds. Join us as we explore how she has worked to transform Waddesdon into a must-visit event destination. As a commercial trading arm of the Rothschild Foundation, Waddesdon Enterprises is an entity that leverages its picturesque, boutique hotel to redirect profits back towards the foundation itself. Popularised by its affinity for providing unique venues for a myriad of weddings, Waddesdon Enterprises has made quite the name for itself throughout, not just the Buckinghamshire area, but across the globe. Having hosted brides and grooms from many corners of the world, the collective can promise potential clients that their event is in the best possible hands. The one giving guidance to these hands is none other than Holly Saunders. Having been in possession of the CEO role for three years now, Holly consistently demonstrates an understanding of just how hard one must work in order to achieve excellence time and time again. Prior to her position within Waddesdon Enterprises, Holly found herself working in London, namely for Rhubarb at Sky Garden, Claridge’s, and then Caprice Holdings. It wasn’t until COVID-19, however, that she was made redundant due to the crisis facing the hospitality sector as a whole. Just when things seemed bleak, Holly received the call that would change her life – one offering her an interview for the role she holds today. However, to truly understand where Holly’s will and determination stems from, we must look further beyond her time spent working in London. Holly began her professional career in the military, and immediately came to learn that it was a very male-dominated space that demanded constant diligence and grit from any women within it. As such, in order to garner the respect and success that she deserved, Holly developed an immense level of resilience that has assisted her throughout the rest of her career journey. Though it may not have been easy, the leadership style that it helped her to cultivate resulted in what we see today – a woman who guides her team through kindness, whilst always striving for brilliance. It’s this very mindset that Holly upholds to this day, and has since she first took on the CEO role. Within Waddesdon Enterprises, each staff member is an individual with their own personal goals and responsibilities, and Holly sees that these desires are nurtured to truly bring out the best in the people she surrounds herself with. She believes in her people, ultimately allowing her to motivate and encourage them in far more personal ways. Truly, her style is centred around kindness, while still maintaining an exceptional level of professionalism. Holly has gone above and beyond to help her team develop – something that really shines throughout Waddesdon Enterprises’ practises. Holly Saunders stands as a prime example of the determination of women within their respective fields. Her adept nature has helped her to guide others along the same path, and the result is clear to see – Waddesdon Enterprises is a collective comprised of incredibly talented individuals, each cherished and believed in by their CEO. Only then are they able to flourish, and it’s evident that Holly will continue to support them on their own journeys as the business transitions into the coming year. Contact Details Contact: Holly Saunders Company: Waddesdon Enterprises Web Address: https://www. waddesdonenterprises.co.uk/
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