The Grand, York are delighted to recognise Lisa Williams following last weeks HHH awards, where Lisa received the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award. Such accolades are bestowed upon those who are exceptional leaders and innovators and those who have built a lasting legacy in their field.
Lisa has built an outstanding reputation over the course of her career, one that can be matched by very few. The Grand are exceptionally proud of Lisa for being recognised by the Hotel Housekeeping Honours in such a way and are proud to share her story in the hope that people continue to choose Housekeeping as a lifelong career as Lisa has.
LISA WILLIAMS
With over 20 years of five-star hospitality experience, Lisa Williams brings an exceptional level of dedication, expertise, and leadership to her role as Head Housekeeper at The Grand, York. Lisa’s impressive career includes senior positions at some of London’s most renowned luxury hotels, including The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, 41 Hotel & Rubens at the Palace Hotel, and W Hotel on Leicester Square, among others. She has consistently elevated the standards of each property she has led, a commitment reflected in her long-standing role with the UK Housekeepers Association, where she currently serves as Chair for Yorkshire & Northeast.
Throughout Lisa’s career and in her current role at The Grand, her key responsibilities have included:
- Overseeing and managing the entire housekeeping team
- Quality control, inspection and reporting
- Budget and inventory management
- Guest service and satisfaction
- Ensuring health, safety and compliance across the board, implementing standard and procedures
- Coordination with other departments maintenance/reception/ sales/ management
- Sustainability and environmental practices
- Staff training and development
Throughout her career, Lisa has garnered numerous awards that celebrate her personal commitment to excellence and the strength of the teams she leads. Recent accolades include the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hotel Housekeeping Honours Awards and Housekeeper of the Year at The Hotel Cateys in 2023. Her leadership has also earned awards for her teams, such as Team of the Year and Best Opening Team, showcasing her knack for creating motivated, cohesive, and guest-centred teams.
Lisa’s experience extends beyond the hotel industry; during the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked with the NHS’s Kings College Trust, gaining valuable insight into hospital-grade cleaning standards, which she later applied to enhance health and safety practices in hospitality.
Looking to the future, Lisa is passionate about integrating sustainability, diversity, and innovation into housekeeping. As she prepares for retirement, she hopes to leave behind a team committed to high standards, with a focus on sustainable practices and inclusive, equitable environments. Ever forward-thinking, she champions new technologies to enhance guest feedback and support team recognition, ensuring that Housekeeping remains at the forefront of hospitality excellence.
