Interview with BCAA 2025 Winner Harry Bown
A few months on from being named Intermediate Apprentice of the Year at the Black Country Apprenticeship Awards 2025, Harry Bown of The Fairlawns Hotel & Spa is still feeling the impact of the achievement. We at PTP recently sat down with Harry to conduct this interview, exploring the experiences, challenges and support that have shaped his apprenticeship journey and helped him thrive in the hospitality industry.
Starting from the Beginning, how did you come to be an apprentice with Performance Through People, and what were your first impressions when you began your journey?
“My journey as an apprentice really started when I joined Fairlawns Hotel and Spa in September 2023 as a part-time assistant whilst completing my A-Level studies. During that year working part-time, I realised I had found my passion for hospitality – there was something about the general interaction with guests and the feeling of genuinely enjoying what I was doing that just clicked for me. Once I finished my A-Levels, Fairlawns gave me the opportunity to go full-time with them as a Level 2 intermediate apprentice, and that’s when I was first introduced to Performance Through People. From the start, they have been nothing but supportive, guiding me through the qualification from beginning to end, and nothing was ever too much trouble.”
As you settled into the programme, what experiences or moments made you feel you were really growing in confidence and ability?
“The most significant growth I noticed was in my communication and confidence, not only with my colleagues but also with customers. I found myself naturally building relationships with guests, learning how to keep that professional line whilst also exceeding their expectations. My meetings with my tutor really helped me realize how much I was developing – we’d review the content I’d completed and discuss it in relation to my personal experiences, which made me understand that I knew and had experienced far more than I initially thought. My tutor was brilliant at breaking down questions and helping me see that I not only knew the answers, but I’d also lived them in my day-to-day role.”
When you learned that you had been nominated for the Black Country Apprenticeship Awards, what went through your mind, and what part of your journey felt most significant in earning that nomination?
“When I learned I was one of the finalists, I was genuinely surprised – out of everyone who must get nominated for these awards, to be chosen as one of the final five felt incredible. It gave me a real sense of worthiness, being recognised for my hard work and dedication to the hospitality industry by people outside of my organisation who don’t even know me. The most significant part of my journey was my overall dedication and attitude to both my studies and the job itself, and I couldn’t have done that without the amazing support of Fairlawns Hotel & Spa. The management team across the entire business has been nothing but supportive, making my schedule flexible around both work and studies, and allowing me to cross-train across different departments – from the Health Club and Spa to Housekeeping, Reception, and Kitchen. From working alongside some amazing people, I’ve been able to learn from their expertise, industry knowledge, and dedication, which has been invaluable to my development.”
Winning the award is a MAJOR milestone – how did that moment feel for you, and how has the achievement influenced your goals or the way you see your future?
“Being nominated was a big enough achievement in my eyes, but when I attended the awards evening and actually won, it was an amazing feeling – I realised what an honour it was to be selected. Being surrounded by Fairlawns management and my family made me feel like I was on the right path for my future, and it confirmed that the hard work I’d put in over the last 12 months had really paid off. Winning hasn’t changed how I work day-to-day, but it’s put what I can achieve into perspective – the sky is the limit. It’s made me even more determined to move up and develop to move up and develop in the industry, and I’m now pursuing a supervisory or management role whilst completing my next qualification alongside it. The award has given me the confidence to set my sights higher and really go for what I want in my hospitality career.”
As Harry continues to build on the foundations of his apprenticeship, his journey stands as a testament to the value of dedication, passion and the right support network. His achievement at the Black Country Apprenticeship Awards may have taken place several months ago, but its influence is clearly still shaping his ambitions and confidence as he moves forward. With the backing of Fairlawns Hotel & Spa and Performance Through People, Harry is already looking ahead to new responsibilities, further qualifications and a future in hospitality that he’s determined to make his own. His story is a powerful reminder of what apprenticeships can unlock – and what young people can achieve when their talent is recognised and nurtured.