On track
Above: .
. Tell me about yourself
I’ve just turned 20 and live with my parents Chris and Jane Scragg in Tunbridge Wells. My father is the ex-chairman of Marston Hotels, and my mother manages the family’s homes both here and in Mallorca.
I went to Dulwich Prep School in Cranbrook until the age of 11, then boarded at Wellesley House in Broadstairs. I was really sporty – I played hockey for the county and was given the chance to trial for England. I was also chosen for Crystal Palace FC’s training scheme and was offered a place on the youth team.
I decided I wanted to concentrate on tennis, so moved to Bradfield College in Berkshire when I was 13, where the sports facilities are fantastic. Although I had shown a real aptitude for the sport (I made it into the top 20 juniors in the UK) it wasn’t the direction I wanted to take, so I decided to pursue a full-time career in hospitality.
2. What are you doing now?
I have worked for Marston Hotels for a year and the company has just been bought by QHotels. I’m assistant general manager at the Bridgewood Manor near Rochester. I have worked in every department in the hotel to fast-track my training. I decided against college or university, because I think the best and quickest way to learn about a job is to experience it first-hand.
3. What are your ambitions for the future?
My ultimate goal is to own my own hotel, but in the short term, I’d like to gain more experience in the industry.
4. What’s the best thing about living in Kent?
Well, it’s very easy on the eye! Kent is a great mix of town and country - you can get away from it all in its acres of countryside and at the same time it has great shopping, attractions and restaurants in its towns and cities. It’s also convenient that Brands Hatch is just up the road! My dad and I race for Team Belfry, competing at various events around the country. Kent is also close to the continent, so it’s easy for me to get to Spa in Belgium for race meetings.
5. Where do you like to go out in the area?
As my girlfriend lives in Canterbury, we tend to go out there. When my group of friends go out together, we don’t really have regular haunts, we just travel round different areas to find the best places to go.
6. What are your hobbies and interests?
My passion is motor racing. I won my first race in September with my team partner Ciaran Butler at Brands Hatch. When I’m not on the track, I like to relax with my family and friends – sometimes it’s nice to just go out somewhere to lunch and take it easy.
7. What was the last book you read?
I normally only read when I’m on holiday - I picked up the Da Vinci Code – I’d heard so much about it and wondered if it would live up to the hype, and I really enjoyed it.
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