The Reception Leader of the Year is designed to recognise outstanding individuals who work within corporate guest services. The competition seeks to honour leaders who demonstrate excellence, innovation, and commitment to providing exceptional guest services within the corporate sector.
Below you’ll find the eligibility criteria, entry rules, what you’ll need to prepare, and the questions asked in the application.
Who Can Enter (Eligibility)
Position
Open to supervisors, team leaders, managers, and senior front of house professionals who are responsible for leading, developing, or overseeing reception or front desk teams.
Eligible nominees should play a key role in guiding team performance, upholding service standards, and ensuring exceptional guest experiences through effective leadership and operational management.
This category is not open to Account Directors or similar senior roles who oversee multiple service streams (e.g., reception, events, catering, hospitality services, etc.). It is intended specifically for individuals whose leadership responsibilities are focused primarily on reception and front‑of‑house teams.
Employment Duration
You must have been employed by your current company for at least six months as of 1 January 2026.
Employment Status
Applicants must not be serving notice or planning to leave at the time of application and must hold a permanent contract (no temporary/agency placements). Placement students are not eligible.
Questions on eligibility? Email CGSA-recognition@outlook.com.
Entry Rules (Submission Guidelines)
One Application per Organisation
Each organisation may submit one entrant. If more than one application is received, only the first will be considered.
Internal Selection Process Recommended
Given the limitation of one entry per organisation, it is strongly recommended that companies establish an internal selection process to choose the best candidate for nomination. This process should be fair, transparent, and open to all eligible receptionists within the organisation.
Required Endorsement
Your application must include a formal endorsement from your line manager confirming your service quality and suitability to represent the organisation.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
- Your updated CV
- A recent photo in corporate uniform (or usual work attire if no uniform)
- Time to answer nine short questions (max 150 words each)
First Stage – Application (Deadline – Midnight, 5 May 2026)
Complete the digital application form (step by step). You’ll provide your personal details, upload your CV and photo, and answer the questions below (150 words max per answer).
By submitting, you and your manager agree that we will hold your personal details until 30 June 2026 for judging purposes, after which they will be deleted. Submission confirms acceptance of the terms and conditions.
Questions to Prepare (150 words per answer)
- Introduce yourself and explain what inspired you to pursue a career in customer service.
- Please share an experience where you were the guest and experienced exceptional customer service outside of your own place of work. Why did it stand out for you?
- What value do you believe a great leader should bring to the team they lead and organisation they represent?
- How do you create a team culture and ensure team engagement?
- Please share and experience where you displayed exceptional leadership at your organisation.
- What do you do that separates you from other leaders in the industry?
- Why should you win this competition and represent Corporate Guest Services Reception Leaders from across the UK and Ireland?
- Who inspires you and why?
- Where would you like to be in your career in 3 years’ time and why?
Second Stage
All applications will be reviewed by the judging panel. Successful applicants will be invited to attend an Assessment Day during w/c 11 May 2026. Full details and the format of the day will be provided via email.
Third Stage
Following the Assessment Day, a shortlist of applicants will be announced during w/c 18 May 2026.
These finalists will then be invited to a further Assessment Day during w/c 1 June 2026.
The Awards Ceremony
All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a special Awards Ceremony during w/c 22 June 2026, where the overall winner will be announced and the trophy presented.
Each finalist may invite their line manager plus one additional guest to join them at the ceremony.
If you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact the Corporate Guest Services Awards Coordinators at CGSA-recognition@outlook.com
Download and complete application form for Leader of the Year
You must complete every section and ask your manager to endorse your application. Full instructions are included on the form. Once completed, save the PDF application form, ready for submission. PLEASE: Make sure your CV is up to date and you have a recent photo of yourself in your corporate uniform (or usual work attire if no formal uniform).
Your answers to each questions should be no longer than 150 words maximum
PLEASE NOTE: the word count of 150 per answer must be strictly adhered to and you will invalidate your entry if you do not comply with this.
Tips from the judges. Type up your answers in Word first, then use the word count function before completing the boxes on the application form.
Send us a recent photo of yourself
PLEASE NOTE: the word count of 150 per answer must be strictly adhered to and you will invalidate your entry if you do not comply with this.
Tips from the judges. Type up your answers in Word first, then use the word count function before completing the boxes on the application form.
Send us a video clip of yourself
This year we are also requesting a short video clip of no more than 45 seconds or 100MB of the applicant where we ask that you bring your personality to life.
Tips from the judges. Plan carefully what you are going to say in advance. This is your chance to stand out from everyone else! So tell us why you should be shortlisted. Make sure it is something new and different about yourself and express your personality. Don’t repeat any of your other answers. Hold the camera steady or ask someone else to hold it for you and go somewhere quiet. Then record! Don’t go over 45 seconds or 100MB in file size.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 16TH MAY 2025, AT MIDNIGHT.
Submit your entry for Leader of the Year by 16th May 2025, at midnight.
Fill in your contact details below. Upload your completed PDF application form, recent photo of yourself, CV and your video clip, and then press submit. PLEASE NOTE: We will send you an automated email to let you know that your entry has been received so please check your spam folder if you do not receive it.