Meet the Team: iQ Kingston

Our Kingston site enjoys a location that ticks all the boxes. Not only does it have all the entertainment of the town centre right on the doorstep, it’s also a minute away from the River Thames and a short walk from the vast green spaces of Bushy and Hampton Court Parks. Conveniently placed for Kingston University and Glyndŵr University’s campus in the town, this iQ offers a gym and some lovely studios with views over the area.

Today, find out more about three of the iQ Kingston team – Lauren, Sam and Anthi.

 

Hey, it’s Lauren!

Who are you and what do you do at iQ?

I’m Lauren, I am the Assistant Manager at IQ Kingston.

What are you looking forward to this year?

Completing the Shine walk by walking 26.2 miles through the night in London. Cannot wait to see London at night, into the morning.

Where is the best place you have travelled to recently?

India – everyone says it a Marmite place, you ever love it or hate it. I love how colourful it was, how the people were so accepting, and the smell of India. You open your suitcase when you are back, and you have that smell.

Who is the nicest/ most horrible celebrity you’ve met?

I have met many rugby players as I have been going to rugby games since I was four. Every rugby player I have met was generally friendly, even when the papers say they are not. I have met Kyran Bracken, Richard Hill, Owen Farrell, Mako and Billy Vunipola, Thomas Castiaignede, George Kruis, Chris Ashton, Alex Goode, Schalk Brits… You might be able to tell who I support :P

If you could give your younger self some advice about student life, what would it be?

Value the time that you have now as you will not get it back when you start working life.

Any interesting facts about yourself?

I like to eat chips and Creme Eggs.

What are your favourite places to go in Kingston?

I’ve only been living in Kingston for eight months, so I am still exploring. I love going to the river and taking a walk. Did this after work one day and saw little bunny rabbits…

 

Hey, it’s Sam!

Who are you and what do you do at iQ?

I’m Sam, Operations Manager at iQ Kingston.

What are your favourite places to go in Kingston?

I like running along the river or in Bushy Park which is just across the river from us.

What’s your best memory of the last year at iQ?

Our cinema night which we hosted on our mezzanine where we showed Thor: Ragnarök.

What are you looking forward to this year?

My Dad coming over from New Zealand to visit me in August.

What about your iQ are you most proud of?

My team.

What’s your favourite TV show?

Supernatural.

What makes your iQ a special place to live?

We are very fortunate to have a great location in Kingston by the river.

Where is the best place you have travelled to recently?

Japan. It was a year or so ago, but I have been there a few times. Such a wonderful country.

Sum up the atmosphere at your iQ in one word.

Relaxed.

Who is the nicest/ most horrible celebrity you’ve met?

I’ve met The Killers and had a chat with Brandon Flowers’ father when the band stayed at the hotel where I worked at the time. That was interesting.

 

Hey, it’s Anthi!

Who are you and what do you do at iQ?

Hi, this is Anthi and I’m the Customer Service Assistant at iQ Kingston.

What makes your iQ a special place to live?

We are right at the heart of Kingston next to the beautiful Kingston river walk that our students enjoy so much! Here our students receive a warm, welcoming, family-like environment.

What are your favourite places to go in Kingston?

I love Kingston riverside walk, the side with all the bars and restaurants that you can enjoy a meal or a drink with a lovely view, but also the other side with all the greenery where you can have a peaceful walk or cycle by the water.

What’s the nicest thing a resident has said to you?

It was lovely having all of you here, especially you Anthi!

What’s your favourite band/ TV show/ movie?

My favourite TV show at the moment is Line of Duty, one of the best movies ever is Lord of the Rings and my favourite band for the last ten years is Rammstein.

Where is the best place you have travelled to recently?

Barbados because it is a little paradise, with beautiful scenery, amazing beaches and a relaxing vibe everywhere you go!

If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pasta!

What are you looking forward to this year?

Rammstein concert, summer holidays and smooth iQ check-outs and check-ins!

Who is the nicest/ most horrible celebrity you’ve met?

I have met no celebrities, have they met me?? ?

What’s your best memory of the last year at iQ?

How a lot of our students personally thanked me for taking care of them during their stay with us.

Sum up the atmosphere at your iQ in one word.

Warm.

If you could give your younger self some advice about student life, what would it be?

Get your act together and prioritise so you can have some fun as well!

Any interesting facts about yourself?

If I could I would travel the world. Coming from Greece, I recommend visiting at least one Greek island in your lifetime – I’m lucky to have visited 15!

 

Thanks Lauren, Sam and Anthi for sharing. Find out more about iQ Kingston and look out for our next Meet the Team very soon.

See our Kingston city guide

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