JUMP TO CONTENT

Holiday Park Life: The Best Kept Secret in the Travel & Hospitality Industry?

Posting date: 23/07/2025
There really is something special about arriving on shift in a beautiful location, ready to bring holiday happy to the holidaymakers and holiday homeowners of this nation. 


Our locations boast a unique buzz about the place, a positive energy that vibrates around every corner, whether that be in one of our boathouse restaurants, in our caravans or luxury lodges, in the swimming pool, or amongst our fantastic activities and retail stores. Speak to any of our fantastic team members on park and they will know that very feeling, as it’s what keeps them returning and is what drives them forward in their work life.

Holiday Park life is so unique, so special, that you’ll often find people of Parkdean make the move from a central support role to a park role for a number of reasons. 

We understand the importance of being able to offer team members flexibility, development and career growth, and an ability to move across departments or roles is often a path people decide to take. 

So you can learn more about this, we sat down with Morvyn Cattanach, Accommodation Manager at Southerness Holiday Park who made the move from central support to park.

Tell us a little bit about you outside work?

I am originally an East-Coaster and was born in Edinburgh and grew up in Fife. I studied Accounts and Economics at University there for 2 years but left as it really wasn’t for me. I love to go to concerts and have been to Glastonbury festival a few times – it’s amazing and so fun. You don’t know how good it is until you go.

What motivated your move from a central role to a park role?

I worked in Treasury in the central support office and felt like I had reached the ceiling in Treasury. I also wanted to come back to Scotland after living in Newcastle for quite a bit. 

The Administration Manager role at Sandylands came up and it was kind of intertwined with Treasury so I moved into that and really enjoyed it. As soon as I started on park, I realised I wanted to become a General Manager and that’s where I see myself in the future with Parkdean Resorts. 

When the Accommodation Manager on park stepped down, my General Manager approached me and encouraged me to go for the role. At the time Accommodation at Sandylands was facing a number of complications, so it offered me an exciting challenge and I managed a bigger team, so it was great for my development. 

I love working in accommodation – it’s different and you get to meet people from all walks of life. Working with people like young mums who are looking to get back into work. I love seeing people flourish and have independence.

Take us through your PDR journey?

I joined Treasury in Newcastle 6 years ago in March. I then moved to Sandylands as Admin Manager in 2019 and have now been at Southerness since the end of August last year. Long term I'm looking for an Assistant General Manager role.

Why do you stay at Parkdean Resorts?

Parkdean really develop their people.  

I’ve got to go on loads of development programmes, courses and training to develop myself which is great. It’s not just Head of Departments that get it too – Parkdean really recognise internal talent and want to boost you. They always want to progress you internally and there is no limit to where you can go in your career, you can come in as a seasonal team member on 10 hours and work all the way up to General Manager.

Parkdean Resorts has one of the best cultures I’ve ever worked in, I love the people I work with and there is such a close relationship between parks and between central. I can’t see myself ever wanting to leave or to leave holiday parks. I love holidays parks – no two days are the same and you actually feel like you’re on holiday! You get to meet lots of different types of people and there is such a buzz about the place.

Any programmes/development/training you’ve been on?

I’m currently on the ‘Be better than me’ course aimed at developing Head of Departments so they can be the leaders of the future, and I’m lucky enough to be a member of the first cohort. It’s run by 4 General Managers, and they are open about their mistakes and accomplishments.

Level up your career with Parkdean Resorts!

We always want to create unforgettable moments for our teams. 

We know the real value is in our people, we care about their future and invest in their development with clear career pathways and opportunities to obtain widely recognised qualifications. 

Interested in learning more? Explore our holiday park job positions.


Jodie Smith our consultant managing the role
Posted by Jodie Smith
List #1

Articles you might like

Katrina, Parkdean Accommodation team
Coming home: Katrina on her Parkdean family

Teaser

Accommodation and maintenance

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/29/2025

Summary

Looking for reasons why a role in accommodation and housekeeping offers a perfect career move? We’ve got a super story to share from our very own Katrina Chapman, a cleaner at Parkdean’s Witherns

Teaser

Housekeeping jobs are perfect if you're keen to work in a team that feels like family! That's exactly what Katrina loves too.

Read more
Holly Baldwin

by

Holly Baldwin

Holly Baldwin

by

Holly Baldwin

Gavin, Accommodation Assistant Manager at Parkdean
Sparkling clean, supportive team: Parkdean Accommodation stories

Teaser

Accommodation and maintenance

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/29/2025

Summary

Keeping a holiday park running smoothly is all about the amazing people, both front of house and behind the scenes. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Gavin Jackson in our Accommodation team. Ga

Teaser

Working in our Accommodation team at Parkdean has its perks... don't just take it from us though!

Read more
Sophie Hardy

by

Sophie Hardy

Sophie Hardy

by

Sophie Hardy

Parkdean Contact Centre employee on the phone smiling
Love Where You Work: Discover a Fulfilling Career in Customer Sales Support

Teaser

Contact Centre

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/17/2025

Summary

Are you a people-person with a knack for helping others and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences?  If so, a career in Customer Sales Support at Parkdean Resorts might be the perfect f

Teaser

Parkdean isn't just about on-park roles... We've got some great roles in our Head Office too, especially in our Contact Centre!

Read more
Sophie Hardy

by

Sophie Hardy

Sophie Hardy

by

Sophie Hardy

Jade Prudhoe, General Manager at Weeley Bridge Parkdean branded image
Jade Prudhoe: Why I Love My Parkdean Hospitality Apprenticeship

Teaser

Apprenticeships at Parkdean

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/02/2025

Summary

It’s National Hospitality Apprenticeship Week!  A perfect time to celebrate the incredible journeys of our apprentices and reflect on the progress we’ve made together. At Parkdean Resorts, we’re

Teaser

It’s National Hospitality Apprenticeship Week 2025! Celebrate our Apprentices with us!

Read more
Sophie Hardy

by

Sophie Hardy

Sophie Hardy

by

Sophie Hardy

The Lizard Point Holiday Park sign is blue and sits behind a tree with some greenery and flowers around it.
5 reasons you'll love working at Lizard Point

Teaser

Parkdean Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

09/29/2025

Summary

So you’re looking for jobs in Cornwall, are you? You’re on the hunt for something “outside the norm”, that’s fun, meaningful, and comes with bundles of opportunities and a cracking team? Then boy

Teaser

Working with a cracking team aside, there's plenty of reasons to consider Lizard Point when you begin your search for jobs in Cornwall!

Read more
Holly Baldwin

by

Holly Baldwin

Holly Baldwin

by

Holly Baldwin

Image of Sean
Progressing from Housekeeping Jobs To Accommodation Manager

Teaser

Accommodation and maintenance

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

09/24/2025

Summary

“I started working at Nodes Point in 2012 and have been here ever since – you could say it was meant to be!” We’re all about sharing real-life employee stories at Parkdean. It helps show our tea

Teaser

Meet Sean Smith, Accommodation Manager, Manchester United football supporter and all-round family man who loves his job at Nodes Point.

Read more
Parkdean Resorts

by

Parkdean Resorts

Parkdean Resorts

by

Parkdean Resorts

Parkdean Holiday Home Sales Team
Holiday Home Sales and our Parkdean Promise

Teaser

Holiday Home Sales

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

09/10/2025

Summary

Are you looking for a sales career with a difference? Then you’ve come to the right place!  You might have heard about our Holiday Home Sales jobs and how you can start a sales career with us, bu

Teaser

Are you looking for a sales career with a difference? Then you’ve come to the right place!

Read more
Sophie Hardy

by

Sophie Hardy

Sophie Hardy

by

Sophie Hardy

Image of Wemyss Bay Holiday Park sunset
Selling Joy: Angela Stevenson on Holiday Homes & Fulfilment

Teaser

Holiday Home Sales

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/29/2025

Summary

In the world of holiday home sales, where every interaction holds the promise of creating amazing memories for potential holiday homeowners, the role of a Sales Advisor is crucial.  You can find o

Teaser

Find out more about Holiday Home Sales jobs with Angela Stevenson!

Read more
Hayley  Solvey

by

Hayley Solvey

Hayley  Solvey

by

Hayley Solvey

Ocean Edge Holiday Park setting
How a Career in Sales Led to Progression

Teaser

Holiday Home Sales

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/13/2025

Summary

Here at Parkdean Resorts, we champion our Parkdeaners in every department. Today, we’re shining that spotlight on Georgia McIver from our Holiday Home Sales Team! Fun fact: we’ve got loads of dif

Teaser

Georgia McIver talks to us about how she progressed into a Sales Advisor role!

Read more
Parkdean Resorts

by

Parkdean Resorts

Parkdean Resorts

by

Parkdean Resorts

Image of food dishes
Life as Head Chef at Parkdean Resorts

Teaser

Chef Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/27/2025

Summary

“Working at Parkdean Resorts is a laugh. You are with friends and family on the front line, pushing each other to be better. It’s great to watch people fall in love with the job and come back eve

Teaser

Find out what it’s really like to work as a Head Chef at one of Parkdean’s Lake District holiday parks!

Read more
Parkdean Resorts

by

Parkdean Resorts

Parkdean Resorts

by

Parkdean Resorts

Browse Jobs