Did you always envision a career in the hotel industry?
As my parents were from a hospitality background it is no surprise that I would follow in their footsteps. Although as a child I wanted to be either a policeman or a barrister. However I have and do enjoy the hospitality Industry.
Tell us about your career path so far?
I attended Henley Catering college and after graduating I worked for mainly private hotels as a trainee manager at establishments such has Garden House Cambridge, the Imperial Hotel in Hythe followed by Britannia Hotels and the Adelphi hotel, Liverpool. I then moved onto to become General Manager with Queens Moat House at the George Washington Hotel. After a long period managing the hotel I moved onto managing Redworth Hall and then Derwent Manor. After a brief time with Cedar Court Hotel Bradford I am now settled working for Kew Green Hotels at the Holiday Inn Washington.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding part is training my team members giving them all the knowledge I have gathered throughout my career. I love coaching them to help them progress and set off in their own careers throughout the hospitality industry.
What is the most difficult aspect?
Wearing so many hats! And by that I mean you need to be so many things for different people. For example I need to be a leader, be inspiring, and be a manager as well as looking at health and safety, guest relations, HR and managing a successful business. It is all of these hats’ that keep the job different every day! It’s a really exciting role. How has the industry evolved in the past 10 years and what changes do you envisage going forward?
The industry has changed greatly throughout my career and especially in the last 10 years. Management styles have changed and I have had to learn how to adapt and change the ways in which I work. Technology has progressed and keeps progressing. In the future everything will be online such as check in and check out!
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Fake it until you make it! Keep your head held up high and you will in turn be rewarded. Hard work certainly does pay off.
What are you currently working on?
I have been spending a lot of time on FUSE a management porthole through IHG to help share best practices in the hotel industry across the globe. I have managed to gain the status of hotel super user’ as worldwide I am in the top 10! I have led the team in numerous charity events help raise money for Greenfingers who Kew Green Hotels currently support. I am delighted to say that Holiday Inn Washington raised a phenomenal amount of £10,030.00 in 2017! Food and Beverage is a great focus of mine and what we can do to keep our restaurant and menus fresh, new and ahead of the trends all the time.
Who are your heroes and mentors?
My Personal hero/mentor would be Roland Matthews a Senior Lecturer at Henley College where I studied. He really inspired to love and become passionate about hospitality. Ken Hom has to be my ultimate food hero producing amazing clean, fresh food without any fuss!
Describe yourself in 3 words
Mentor, Leader, Commercial.
How do you like to unwind?
Relaxing for me would have to be either a round of golf or a lovely large glass of wine. As well as dining in restaurants and hotels enjoying being the guest in the industry.
