Celebrations for Spitbank Fort team

General Manager crowned best Business Personality and Achiever

There were celebrations all round at the 15^th annual News awards when Spitbank Fort’s General Manager was awarded the gong for best Business Personality and Achiever.

Dominic Hones, who previously worked at sea on a cruise ship, was rewarded for his hard work on Spitbank Fort, a converted Napoleonic Fort, now a luxury 9-bedroom hotel off the Portsmouth coast.

He was amongst good company at The News Business Excellence Awards ceremony, which took place on February 12th at the Portsmouth Guildhall.

Dominic said: “I was delighted to be named the winner of this award. It really is an honour and it’s great to be recognised by a local organisation such as The News, which is well respected in the Portsmouth area.

The General Manager was nominated by Amazing Venues, the group that own both Spitbank Fort and No Man’s Fort, for his accomplishments, including moving many employees from zero hours contracts to full time and achieving amazing feedback from guests.

One reviewer has even coined a new phrase, being Dom’d. They wrote: “As soon as we arrived we were Dom’d! Dom is the most amazing manager, entertainer, friend, host and most helpful person you will meet at any hotel! Dom spoke to us all personally and by the time we had finished our tour of the fascinating fort he knew everyone’s names! After lunch Dom excelled himself with a great fun sing along in the courtyard where everyone joined in waving flags, singing and dancing. Dom, if you read this, thank you for making our trip such a special one and for entertaining us all the way with your amazing personality!! It was an absolute pleasure!”

Dom added: “It’s really important for the Forts to get this local recognition as we employee many local people and are really a part of the area’s history.”

The Business Personality and Achiever award was sponsored by Menzies LLP.