At 19, Serena inherited the Georgian House Hotel, a 2-star B&B in Pimlico.  The hotel, built in 1851 by her great great grandfather William Chinnery Mitchell, became her passion and over time has been lovingly transformed into a 5-star boutique with 60 rooms, her vision to preserve and enhance the original beauty with a modern, creative take.

In 2007, Serena joined the Business Growth Programme at Cranfield University, a programme to help owners to grow their businesses. In 2014, she won a Master Innholder Scholarship to complete the General Manager’s Program at Cornell University.  She became a Master Innholder in 2017 and is a member of the St Julian Scholars committee.  Believing in the power of collaboration, Serena set up a regional hoteliers group, the SW1 Hospitality Forum in 2014.

Serena is firmly committed to her team and determined to provide opportunity for education and development.  The Georgian House has continually been listed in the Caterer’s Top 30 Employers and won Springboard Best Education and Industry Award in 2017.  She wants education to be accessible in SME businesses like her own and is a keen supporter of the new apprenticeship and a member of the Apprenticeship Board.