Give a brief outline of your career to date
I started working in the Hastings Europa Hotel when I was 16 and worked there for 19 years, steadily working my way up the ranks. I started as a function bars waiter and during my placement year I was night auditor. When I graduated I became a full-time barman and within six months I was promoted to function bars manager. I then moved to front office manager before being promoted to front of house manager. Recently I was appointed the general manager of the Stormont Hotel.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Science, it wasn’t my strongest subject but the teacher pushed me all the way.
Did you go on to further/ higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I went to Newtownabbey Tech many years ago to study a GNVQ in Hospitality Management and a NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking. I also have a HND in International Hotel Management from the Catering College and a BA (Hons) in Hospitality Management from the Ulster University.
Is this what you were always inspired to do?
I always wanted to work in the industry as I have a real passion for it. Hastings Hotels is a fantastic company to work for and I have worked hard and progressed my career here over the last 19 years. My recent appointment as the general manager of the Stormont Hotel demonstrates how hard work and dedication to your job can help you progress your career.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed? Are there alternative routes into the job?
If you want to succeed in this industry you do need a mix of relevant experience, good customer service and a relevant qualification does help.
I never liked school and didn’t get the results I needed to do my A levels, so I took a longer route to get my degree. Once I went into further education I really excelled in my studies. I also gained great experience working in the Europa Hotel during my degree which helped me progress through the hotel after I graduated.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
You really need to have passion for the industry and you need to be a people person. Listen to your guests, be a problem solver and most importantly, smile.
What does a typical day entail?
I don’t have a typical day. First thing every morning I’ll check my emails before meeting with the management teams to discuss what activity is on that day. It’s a busy hotel and I always like to check the restaurant during breakfast and meet with the executive head chef to ensure we are set up for the day ahead. We meet regularly to discuss new menus and to ensure we are making the most of local produce.
I have a daily meeting with our Events Manager to ensure we are ready for any weddings or events we have that day and throughout the week. We have a busy Confex Centre for business events so it is important to be on top of what is happening as we can have up to 10 separate functions in any one day.
Throughout the day I will meet with various heads of department and members of staff to ensure the smooth running of the hotel.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
It is a demanding role and there are a lot of different departments to keep on top of. But there is no better feeling than knowing that you have made someone’s stay very special and they are leaving happy.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Get out into the industry, get a job and study hard. If you don’t have the relevant qualifications don’t worry as you can work your way up through the ranks by working hard and delivering excellent customer service.
Describe your ideal day off.
A session in the gym and then out with my friends for food and a few cold beers.