Acorn winners 2011 – Sarah Gibbs

Age 29
Position General manager, the Swan Hotel & Spa
Nominator Steve Ramsdale
Proudest career moment Re-opening the Swan following a six-month, £4m refurbishment due to flooding in November 2009.
Greatest inspiration My best friend Frances Phillips, who uses her business acumen and influence to help young aspiring people achieve their goals.
Ambition To be the best that I can be in my chosen pursuits. To learn something new every day.

Sarah Gibbs started her career at the KC stadium in Hull as conference and banqueting manager. She next worked at Knowsley Hall, co-ordinating prestigious events such as the NSPCC Ball. Gibbs became a recruitment consultant for Portfolio International before taking on her current role as general manager at the Swan at Newby Bridge in 2008. Here, she was instrumental in increasing turnover by 10% in her first year.