Sophie Phillips

Sophie studied Drama and Screen Studies at the University of Manchester, graduating in 2015. After working as a Deputy Theatre Manager at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Sophie joined the Quarter graduate scheme in May 2015. Sophie had an immersive start with Quarter, with her first placement being at our annual festival, How the Light Gets in. She has since spent time working in the Washington Guesthouse before making a permanent move to the Square in August 2016 as Marketing and Membership Assistant Manager, responsible for planning the Square’s  members events alongside taking charge of the venue's social media channels.

In January 2017 Sophie was promoted to Private Events Manager for the Square before being promoted again to Events Manager at the Square in June 2018. As Events Manager, Sophie is responsible for all events - from weddings to BBQs and Christmas parties. A typical day for Sophie involves meeting with clients, responding to all new enquiries and planning  and running confirmed events. She also liaises with all event suppliers, briefs the Square team on upcoming events and organises our wedding fairs.

From February 2020, Sophie took on the role of Group Events Manager where her key role is to ensure that all Quarter Events venues are on the events map - securing business for the group as a whole. She has since progressed even further into her current position as Racks Group Operations and Events Manager.

“I love working for a company that values creativity and individuality and rewards your hard work! The graduate scheme particularly was a great way to see all aspects of the business and find a path that is most suited to your strengths.”

“I have learned many practical skills such as using Photoshop and other technical programs. I've also learnt to amalgamate all my previous experiences and skills in to my current role - one that I feel truly suited to and cannot wait to continue in.”

Joanna Tiernay

Joanna studied at the University of Edinburgh. After completing her degree in biological sciences, she went on to spend seven years as a chef. She ended this career on a high, working as sous chef for a country house hotel in the Cotswolds. Looking for a change of career, she came to Quarter as a receptionist at the Clifton Hotel in 2006. Her long career with Quarter has seen her progress through a variety of managerial roles at the Clifton Hotel and the Washington Guesthouse before taking on her current position of Head of HR and Training.

“I enjoy the diversity of my role and the willingness of Quarter to let people expand their horizons. I am proud of our training ethic and how we allow people to take on responsibility to ensure that our teams feel motivated and invested in how the company performs. We also have a very good bunch of people here - ambitious, intelligent and hard -working, but at the same time approachable and supportive - there is a real team feeling at Quarter.

When I started here I had just been a chef for the last 7 years. This company has taught me how to work in a front of house environment, how to manage my own time and prioritise effectively and build good relationships with guests and suppliers. I have also learnt the benefits of good management - building a team, investing in them with good training and then feeling the benefit of them in the years to come. I've learnt how you can have fun at work but still be productive. My breadth of knowledge has really helped my confidence improve over my time here.”

Laura Heasman

Laura graduated from the University of Bristol in 2013 with a degree in philosophy and psychology. After spending a year doing charity work in Bristol she joined Quarter on our graduate scheme in October 2014. The graduate scheme allowed Laura to work in a wide range of Quarter venues, from the Rodney Hotel and the Berkeley Square Hotel to No4 Clifton Village and Head Office. After progressing to become Assistant Manager at the Washington Guesthouse and then at the Clifton Hotel, Laura soon progressed to be Manager of the Berkeley Square Hotel. Having moved into a Projects role in head office in early 2017, Laura was soon promoted to her current role of Head of Projects. In this role, Laura works to aid the company's progression into different markets, oversees projects both large and small, and reviews current systems with a view to improvement!

“I really enjoy the variety of my role. As managers we are involved in so many different types of work, I can’t think of another job like it. I also really enjoy working with the small, close-knit team at the Washington.”

“I love being involved in the progress of an independent, growing company like Quarter!”

Ben Townsend

Ben joined Quarter on the Event and Hotel Graduate Scheme in July 2021. Ben proved that he wasn't scared of getting stuck into any job during his time on the scheme - always popping up when needed to help! This proactive attitude won him a well deserved promotion to Assistant Manager of the Clifton Hotel in September 2021. Ben moved into a dual role of Assistant Manager and Partnerships executive in 2022 before taking on his current role of Revenue Manager in December 2022.

Aruna Ward

Aruna joined the Quarter family in 2016 - employed as a Front of House Team Member at Racks Bar and Kitchen. Always smiling and excelling at customer service, Aruna's potential was quickly seized upon with the creation of a Manager Training Scheme within Racks. From this scheme, Aruna was made a permanent member of the Racks Assistant Management team. From there, Aruna dipped her toe in the world of fine dining - assuming control of No.4 Clifton Village as General Manager.

When Quarter decided to open a pizza restaurant straight out of the pandemic (some would say we are bonkers!) Aruna was the natural choice to build and train our new team! Pizza on the Park has a lively and fun atmosphere - nicely fitting with Aruna's personality!

Jason Dosanjh

Jason joined Racks Bar & Kitchen as a Front of House Team member just before a very busy Christmas in 2018. Having successfully weathered that storm, Jason became a valued member of the Racks Front of House team - on hand to ensure our guests were well looked after. In March 2019, Jason was rewarded for his hard work with a promotion onto the successful Manager Training Scheme within Racks.

Having successfully completed the scheme, Jason was promoted to Assistant Manager at Racks - a position he has held for over 2 years. Jason's passion for customer service, events and music all shine through in his day to day role at Racks!

Natasha Romaine

Natasha joined Quarter as a receptionist at The Washington in 2015. From there she progressed into an Assistant Manager position before moving over to Quarter Short Lets to head up our, well-established, Clifton Short Lets and oversee the launch of Air360. During her time in that role, Natasha showed an apptitude for numbers and, when a suitable position arose, she grabbed the opportunity to join our Head Office Accounts team in 2018.

Natasha has progressed up the accounting ladder ever since - being made Accounts Manager in January 2022.