Nicola Yilmaz has joined our team as a receptionist at our Folkestone branch in Sandgate Road.

 She worked in hospitality after leaving Westminister College where she studied for a hotel and catering management diploma.

Nicola, who was born in Fulham, started her career at 18 in the 4-star hotel Holiday Inn, Kensington, London, where she worked on reception and events for 10 years.

Wide experience

Since moving to Folkestone in 2006 Nicola has worked at the Hythe Imperial Hotel in Hythe and Burlington Hotel in Folkestone, as conference and banqueting event co-ordinator, organising weddings, masonic ladies festivals, conferences and duty manager.

Nicola has also worked as hospitality manager at North Foreland Golf Club, Broadstairs, with similar duties, along with organising the food and beverage side for golfing events, as well as a role as reception and duty manager at Holiday Inn, Ashford. She was made redundant in the pandemic and took a career break until she joined us as our Folkestone receptionist.

Nicola, whose husband is Turkish, has two children aged 23 and 26 and her interests include gardening – growing her own vegetables and fruit – and cooking, especially Turkish cuisine.