An Anguillian Manager, at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, who has demonstrated excellent leadership qualities, has been awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.
The recipient is Ms. Calla Gumbs who will be pursuing a one-year course of studies leading to a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management. Her studies will commence on September 13.
“There were 63,000 applications and only eight scholarships allotted for the Overseas Territories and she was awarded one of them,” the Resort’s Learning & Development Manager, Ms. Lorena Lobo, told The Anguillian newspaper. “We couldn’t be more proud of her because she is not only a stellar performer, but she expresses her commitment and drive in everything she does. Calla plans to take this amazing opportunity and then return to the island to apply everything she learns in Anguilla. She is certainly not the type of person who wants to go out there and chase another place in the world to be with. She has already been promoted twice this season to Supervisor and then to Manager – all by merit.
“We are in the same department and I could spot her talent as soon as I started working with her. During this season she has been putting a lot of time, effort and passion in her work. When someone has such drive, things happens for that person. Calla is now going to the UK and will sharpen up her skills to come back to Four Seasons Anguilla even better.”
Before starting to work at Four Seasons, as a Coordinator, Calla worked at Keithley Lake & Associates and briefly for Sagis which succeeded that Law Firm. “I never expected to see myself in hospitality, to be honest,” she stated. “But it has been such an amazing experience here at Four Seasons – not only because hospitality is the bread and butter of our economy. It is that our hospitality professionals are exceptional in what they do. They have mastered their craft in such a way that it enhances the guest experience and it creates a long-term impact on the people who come here and, as a result, these persons are repeat guests. I think we all can agree that Four Seasons is the top performer on Anguilla, so I feel incredibly blessed to be part of this experience and to work with such an amazing team.”
Pressed about how she felt managing “People and Culture” – the interchanging name for the Human Resources Department –- one of the beehives of activity at the Resort, Calla explained: “I consider HR to be my passion. I absolutely love what I do and so I never had a day where I felt I did not want to go to work. It is easy for me because I genuine connect with the team and enjoy serving them.”
Calla is a very brilliant person and was therefore a most deserving student – and an easy choice for the coveted Chevening Scholarship. “My first degree was in Business Administration from Berkley College in New York,” she said. “I also have a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London.”
She continued: “Part of my drive is not only for me to develop. I believe that the employees at Four Seasons Anguilla are so good at what they do that I want to be able to contribute to their working experience and also to help to strengthen the talent pool in Anguilla. There are a lot of things that are in the pipeline to support the local talent development here, and I want to be a part of that.”
Asked about the Resort’s People and Culture, or Human Resources Department, she has been heading, Calla explained: “Maybe a year or two ago the Resort’s brand decided to shift away from Human Resources, as the name of the department, because they wanted it to be a little bit more structured in a way that it would be inclusive. That is where everyone felt comfortable that we were creating a culture of people development and management. HR tends to sound a little bit more sterile so it was decided to move away from that.”
Commenting on that matter, Lorena, the Learning and Development Manager, explained: “We see our people not as resources, but yet as the ones who drive an outstanding culture based on the Golden Rule that makes us be best in hospitality.”
Reflecting on her journey in the world of work, Calla said: “Mr. Nat Hodge knows me for a long time. I used to contribute a column called ‘Youth Development’ to his newspaper, The Anguillian. He is actually part of my development and I still have copies of the newspaper. To be honest, I attributed a lot of my professional development to The Anguillian and he gave me that opportunity to write and share my passions. I also attributed a lot of my development to Keithley Lake & Associates as well as to Sagis; and now, to Four Seasons, obviously.”
Calla is the daughter of Stella and Crefton Gumbs of North Hill who are extremely proud of her.
