JUMP TO CONTENT

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

Posting date: 31/07/2023

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

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. There is 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. 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.

We always want to create unforgettable moments for our people. We know the real value is in our people, and 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? Contact us today! We would be delighted to guide you on your journey.



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

Articles you might like

A lady in a suit jacket and leopard print top leaning on a fence in front of a holiday home smiling.
How to become a Holiday Home Sales Manager at Parkdean

Teaser

Career Advice

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/24/2024

Summary

Looking for a career where you can create amazing memories every day? You can find that and more in our Holiday Home Sales Manager jobs at Parkdean. Day in, day out, you’ll be an ace at all asp

Teaser

We're here to give you a look into how you can become one of our Holiday Home Sales Managers.

Read more
Hayley  Solvey

by

Hayley Solvey

Hayley  Solvey

by

Hayley Solvey

Image of smiling team member writing 'do what you love' on a chalkboard
Find the Shoe that Fits: Hospitality Careers Offered at Parkdean

Teaser

Career Advice

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/22/2024

Summary

At Parkdean Resorts, we can offer you a hospitality career with a difference. Our holiday parks are located in some of the UK’s most stunning areas of natural beauty, where our nationwide presenc

Teaser

Parkdean offers a lot of employment opportunities, both on-site and in our head office - read on to find out more about all our different roles!

Read more
Jodie Smith

by

Jodie Smith

Jodie Smith

by

Jodie Smith

A man in a smart shirt with a purple lanyard on standing on a pathway.
Your checklist for nailing a Complex Manager interview

Teaser

Career Advice

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/16/2024

Summary

So, you’re on the lookout for your next career opportunity, are you? Maybe you’ve got some hospitality and management experience, and you’re thinking “What next?”. Well, we think you should throw

Teaser

To smash any Complex Manager interview, you’ll want to have a checklist of the kind of questions that could pop up!

Read more
Holly Baldwin

by

Holly Baldwin

Holly Baldwin

by

Holly Baldwin

A man in a blue shirt smiling and pointing at the camera.
What is the best job to work in the summer?

Teaser

Career Advice

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/24/2024

Summary

Although the recent British weather might be suggesting otherwise, summer is right around the corner!  Now is a great time to start thinking about any summer gigs you might fancy when it comes to

Teaser

Whether you’re a student, retiree, teacher, or professional looking to fill an employment gap, summer jobs have a lot of pros.

Read more
Jodie Smith

by

Jodie Smith

Jodie Smith

by

Jodie Smith

Image of Richard Snow, Holiday home sales
Holiday Home Sales: a life-changing career

Teaser

Holiday Home Sales

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/21/2024

Summary

Do you dream of a career that combines the thrill of sales with the joy of holidaying?  Look no further than a career in holiday home sales! Joining Parkdean Resorts' Sales team might just be your t

Teaser

Do you dream of a career that combines the thrill of sales with the joy of holidaying? Look no further than a career in holiday home sales!

Read more
Jodie Smith

by

Jodie Smith

Jodie Smith

by

Jodie Smith

3 people sit at computers in an office, each has a headset on.
10 reasons to bring your IT career to Parkdean

Teaser

Career Advice

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/18/2024

Summary

If hospitality is the stage, our IT professionals are the superstar backstage crew. Working behind the scenes to make sure every project and digital interaction runs smoothly for our teams and h

Teaser

Ready to reboot your career? Read on for 10 reasons to bring your IT career to Parkdean.

Read more
Jodie Smith

by

Jodie Smith

Jodie Smith

by

Jodie Smith

A woman in a light blue t-shirt, throwing a beach ball into the air.
5 reasons uni students should get a job at Parkdean

Teaser

Career Advice

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/22/2024

Summary

When it comes to summer jobs for uni students, the opportunities can really be endless.  Maybe you prefer a more traditional experience and enjoy the office, maybe you fancy taking the summer to

Teaser

From working on your skills to making besties for life, there's loads of reasons for uni students to work at Parkdean!

Read more
Jodie Smith

by

Jodie Smith

Jodie Smith

by

Jodie Smith

a man in a red jacket in a window throwing a beach ball
10 of the best jobs for working students

Teaser

Career Advice

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/20/2024

Summary

If you’re a student looking for work to fund your hobbies and studies, you might be wondering what the best jobs are.  It all really depends on what interests you, your skills, and your career go

Teaser

If you're wondering 'What is the best job to get as a student?', we've got you covered!

Read more
Holly Baldwin

by

Holly Baldwin

Holly Baldwin

by

Holly Baldwin

image of Ryan
A Day In The Life Of A Complex Manager

Teaser

A Day in the Life

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/03/2024

Summary

Have you ever wondered just what is a Complex Manager? Well, we have the answer! A real-life look into one of our Complex Manager superstars with what he gets up to in a day here at Parkdean.  Today,

Teaser

Ever wondered what a Complex Manager does? We caught up with Ryan for a look into his day-to-day!

Read more
Parkdean Resorts

by

Parkdean Resorts

Parkdean Resorts

by

Parkdean Resorts

Some sand dunes on a beach with a shovel front and centre of the image, people are in the background, cleaning up the beach
5 ways our people show their love for our planet

Teaser

Parks, People and Planet

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/01/2024

Summary

Let’s get real, our planet needs a helping hand, and we’re not shy about it. And now more than ever, it’s game on. With last year being the hottest on record, the 2024 climate crisis forecast isn

Teaser

Experience the Parkdean spirit firsthand and see how we spark a passion for protecting the earth!

Read more
Hayley  Solvey

by

Hayley Solvey

Hayley  Solvey

by

Hayley Solvey

Browse Jobs