World Teachers Day - Angela Fekete’s Journey

I moved to London in 2012 after spending 10 months in Ireland where I was taking care of 4 children as a live-in au-pair.

I only knew 2 people in the UK when I moved here, and they both happened to work in the hospitality industry, so it was somewhat an obvious choice for me to join it as well.

I got hired in Crussh, a healthy food and juice bar chain, as a team member. I didn't know, back at the time, but I started a journey towards my learning and development career.

I got promoted quickly, first as an assistant manager and later as a general manager of 3 different branches in central London.

Since there wasn't any succession plan in place, I learnt everything from the people around me and my own mistakes. So many mistakes.

When I heard the head office is looking a Training Manager, I told my mum that I would get that job and I was right. A year later, my manager Ben, extended my position as a Learning and Development Manager.

During the 2 years working with Ben, I learnt more than I learnt in 10 years working in the industry. I saw him delivering training and coaching sessions and I knew this is what I wanted to do as well and just like him, I wanted to make a difference.

I joined JKS Restaurants' People Team as their only L&D professional. I wanted to gain experience in a different environment, I was eager to learn and up for the new challenges. There, I was lucky enough to meet some amazingly talented people and amongst them, some celebrities of the industry.

I was supporting the incredible Gymkhana Team to re-open the Michelin star restaurant in February 2020. Being part of the Gymkhana Academy 4 weeks before the reopening was one of the most exciting times of my career.

Just a few months before Covid started, I got an un-refusable offer from Crussh, to join them as an Operations Manager and manage 7 stores across central London.

I felt this is my opportunity to show what I have always believed in, that people are the company's most important assets.

I was excited and ready to support, develop and manage my new team. What I didn't know is, it will only take 2 months until we need to close all our stores, in a week.

While a lot of my colleagues struggled to find a job after August 2020, I was lucky to get a position in Bakkavor, one of the UK's largest food manufacturers and I could keep practising my occupation.

I've never been passionate about factories, but I'm glad for this experience. It opened my mind to a whole new world and made me evaluate my skills and confidence, as well as it gave me a friendship that I  will cherish for life.

When I read about Umbrella Training, I thought that they probably have an amazing Marketing Manager, but I didn't think there is anything more.

Until my interview with Adele and Jo, who are strong and charismatic leaders and they seem to attract inspiring and talented people to work with them.

I never had a plan, I always just took the next opportunity and tried to learn the most from every situation and from everyone who I worked with. I'm curious about what the future brings while I'm happy where I am now.