We talk with the General Manager of The Copthorne Hotel, Cardiff.”

If I wasn’t being interviewed I’d...
Be working with my marketing executive on our plan for 2008.

I wish people would take more notice of...
The environment. If only we were all commited to making our local environment a better place we’d improve the conditions not just for us but for future generations.

A phrase I use far too often is...
No problem, of course I can! A common misconception of me is... I’m a hard nosed, not very nice businesswoman. (I admit to the hard nosed business woman part – but I am nice really!)

If I were a politician I would...
Improve the NHS, the tax system, our position on Iraq. I could go on.

I’m very good at...
Achieving what I set out to do

I’m not so good at...
Accepting that others don’t always achieve what they are asked to do!

My ideal night out would be...
Quite truthfully just that, a night out!

In moments of weakness I...
Eat doughnuts

You know me as General Manager of the Copthorne Hotel but I may also have been a...
Actually I’ve always worked in the hotel industry. I started at fifteen and worked my way up. Of my 21 year career, the last 15 have been in management. I’m very pleased to be one of only two female GM’s within our hotel group in Europe, the Middle East and Asia (which consists of 47 hotels).

The best age to be is...
Any – because I believe in making the best of what you have at any given time and living life to the full.

In a nutshell my philosophy is...
Work hard, play hard.

My greatest challenge on a day to day basis is...
Getting myself and my son washed and dressed and being in work for 7.30am – or earlier!

In my spare time I...
Spend time with my family – and I relish every moment.

The best thing about my job is...
Helping people to develop.

Our plans for the hotel in 2007/2008 are...
To continue to grow the profile we have today.

I drive a...
Car!

My favourite place to eat out in the Vale is...
Raglans restaurant here at The Copthorne. We have amazingly passionate staff and I just love to sample the fresh, local produce we use.

My favourite place to visit in the Vale is...
For total relaxation it has to be our beauty salon The Haven. Newly opened, it’s been a fabulous addition to the hotel (on a personal note as well as a business one!)

The best day out with family in the Vale is...
The Amelia Trust Farm (Whitton Rosser, Five Mile Lane, Walterston Barry, Vale Of Glamorgan CF62 3AS). My son, Callum, just adores all of the animals and it’s a really great way to while away some time together in the fresh air.

I mix family and work by...
Being female!

In the future I see myself...
Living in southern Spain full time. The thought of this gives me something else to strive for and keeps me going through the cold winters!

And finally, please give us your top three tips for customer service.
1. Smile.
2. Be polite.
3. Remember that the customer pays your wages.