A Slovakian cleaner who could barely speak a word of English has risen through the ranks to become the general manager of a Lake District holiday park.
Zuzanna Terry had only had basic English skills when she took up a job as a cleaner at Fell End Caravan Park at Hale, near Milnthorpe in 2005.
But after impressing her bosses she began to move up, first helping out in the on-site shop before becoming duty manager in 2008. After being moved to the Pure Leisure Group’s flagship South Lakeland Leisure Village two years later, she took up the role as head housekeeper before this month being handed the position of general manager of the 60-acre lodge development near Carnforth.
“I couldn’t believe it. It was a huge surprise and I feel really proud,” Mrs Terry, 36, told the Westmoreland Gazette.
“When I first moved here I hardly spoke a word of English and I didn’t really know what a caravan or a lodge was. That meant I had to learn everything from scratch and I think it’s given me a huge advantage to have worked my way up and to understand how all the elements of the business work.”
Mrs Terry, who recently married head groundsman at South Lakeland Leisure Village, said she had a number of hopes for her new role but would concentrate on ‘putting people first’.
“I have loved all of my jobs because I like working with people. I’m not afraid of hard work and I know every person in the team has an important role to play in keeping a lovely place like this running smoothly.”
Pure Leisure Group owner John Morphet said: “The key to success in any business is hard work and Zuzana has shown that it’s not something she’s afraid of. I started from scratch myself after being forced out of farming due to an accident and I recognise her determination and drive to do well.”
