Awards for Gregynog Hall

Karen Armstrong, director of Gregynog Hall at Tregynon, near Newtown, says achievement of the IIP Leadership and Management Model, on her second anniversary in the post, reflects a commitment to constantly improve service quality and business performance.

The model provides a framework of good working practices to follow, which enables businesses to plan, develop and benefit from effective internal leadership and management.

“There has been a rapid pace of change at Gregynog Hall over the past two years and the Leadership and Management Model has helped the dynamic management team to progress a number of exciting initiatives,” said Miss Armstrong.

“I was keen to establish the core values of Gregynog Hall from the moment I arrived and our skilled management team and staff are united in wanting to achieve the enterprising plans that we have for the estate.

“Development of tourism and our weddings business, staging more events, opening the Grade I Listed gardens to the general public and launching our courtyard café have all been made more achievable through leadership and management.

“The model is an example of exemplary HR management which, hopefully, is just one facet of running the wider estate.”

Pam Tanner, a Welsh Assembly Government human resources development advisor, supported Gregynog Hall to achieve the best practice award. She said she was impressed by Miss Armstrong’s dedication to establishing real change in the business and the way she had used the model to achieve her goal.

Gregynog Hall, which is run by the University of Wales, has been recognised as an Investor in People since 2003 and has also achieved the Hospitality Assured service industry standard every year since 2000. Fifty full and part-time staff work a the Hall.

Gregynog Hall estate comprises the eye-catching black and white mansion and picturesque gardens, a woodland Site of Special Scientific Interest, 11 tenant farms and a reservoir. Fifty staff are employed on the estate, which was bequeathed by Margaret Davies as a deed of gift to the University of Wales 50 years ago.