Southern Regional College (SRC) Hospitality Management degree student Danielle Grant from Hilltown along with part-time lecturer Jamie Maxwell were honoured at the recent Institute of Hospitality Awards for Professionalism. Both were finalists for awards, with Danielle in the running for ‘Student Management Potential Award’ and Jamie, ‘Lecturer of the Year’.
This year marks the 29th year of the awards recognising the achievements of individuals working across the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors and was held in the Culloden Estate & Spa Hotel, Belfast on Friday 11th September 2026.
Danielle, a well deserving finalist for the ‘Student Management Potential Award’, having secured the first ever Generation Chef final title in 2025 alongside fellow SRC students, has been working in the hospitality industry for the past thirteen years.
Danielle began her career at the Avoca Hotel in Newcastle and has since progressed through the ranks. Now working as Operations Supervisor at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), her current role involves co-ordinating a diverse range of large-scale events, from weddings, international conferences and corporate functions to major occasions such as the prestigious 25th anniversary celebrations of the Good Friday Agreement. Danielle is also involved in the delivery of QUB’s graduation celebrations, catering for up to 3,000 guests over three days.
Speaking on her finalist position, Danielle said;
“I am absolutely delighted, very proud and genuinely honoured to be a finalist for the Institute of Hospitality Student Management Potential Award and it is a privilege to represent SRC at this level. To be named as a finalist for the award is a fantastic achievement and I genuinely believe that everyone who has reached this stage is a winner.
For me, the nomination is also recognition of the hard work, support and encouragement I have received from my lecturers, employer, colleagues, family and everyone who has helped me throughout my hospitality journey.”
Echoing this sentiment, was part-time lecturer Jamie. Jamie balances working with travel agent KT Travel in Dundalk alongside course co-ordinating duties for the Travel and Tourism level 3 Extended Diploma, the equivalent of 3 A-levels.
Jamie is well versed in the travel industry. While currently busy fulfilling holiday dreams, alongside his lecturing duties, Jamie has extensive experience of the travel industry having worked as a holiday representative abroad and a Grounds Operation Manager for EasyJet’s operations at Gatwick airport and subsequently Service Delivery Manager at Dublin airport, where he represented twenty-three airlines. Despite this extension experience Jamie was keen to return to SRC, where it all started, and inspire future generations. Speaking on his nomination and subsequent finalist position for ‘Lecturer of the Year’, Jamie said;
“I’m immensely proud to have been recognised as a finalist. To receive that recognition for my work as a part-time lecturer is an achievement in itself and incredibly rewarding. It’s a real affirmation that the work I’m doing is making a positive impact and it means a great deal to have received that recognition.”