WE ❤️ HOSPITALITY - Franck Arnold

The last year has been terrible for the hospitality sector. Most businesses have seen extreme financial challenges and its reputation as an employer has been severely affected. We are now hearing from many, many of our clients about their fears for the future from staff shortages to skills gaps and top mid-senior talent moving to other sectors.

Krishnan Doyle is sharing his conversations with service industry leaders and operators on all that is good about hospitality & catering with the purpose to improve the sector's reputation as one of the largest employer worldwide but also as a great place to develop your career. 

How did you get into hotels & resorts? 

As a teenager I did not enjoy high school and decided to become a Chef and travel the world. I joined the Hotel School of Strasbourg and discovered and that enjoyed all aspects of hospitality. After graduating in culinary I had the chance to continue studying Hospitality management at diploma and degree levels.

Do you think it is important to have studied a related topic to be a success in the sector? 

It helps but our profession offers so many fields that one can access to very exciting jobs and careers with minimum education. A good overall education at high school level, passion, drive and the right attitude are probably more important. Foreign languages help for an international career, but English takes you almost everywhere. 

Which leader / figure inspired you and why? 

Arne Sorenson, former CEO of Marriott International who unfortunately passed away from cancer last February. He was a man of vision, culture, very approachable with the same genuine interest and kindness for Presidents to Line employees. He walked and talked the company culture and served as a great example for all leaders in the company. Izzy Sharp, Founder of Four Seasons hotel and Horst Schultze, former President of Ritz-Carlton for all their contributions to international luxury hospitality, are also a very inspiring leaders, as well as my current company CEO of ACCOR Sebastien Bazin, but with the I have not met him in person yet! 

What keeps you in the sector and why do you enjoy working in it? 

There is no one day like the other. We are driven to constantly create memorable experience for our guests in beautiful, sometime historic places such as the Savoy in London with a unique legacy and working with people from very diverse backgrounds and nationalities.

Tell us about the development / training that you give to your teams and management? 

There are multitude of possibilities to learn and grow at the Savoy. From on the job training to Fairmont and ACCOR skill trainings, leadership development programmes to …outside course through the Institute of Hospitality or the Master Innholders …possibilities are endless and depend on anyone’s ambition and motivation to grow. A company like Fairmont / ACCOR offers very unique promotion and transfer opportunities throughout the world. 

What advice would you give to those starting out in the sector? 

Be passionate about the industry, see the big picture and give your best every day to serve, learn and grow. 

If you could go back and tell yourself one piece of advice as you started your career, what would it be? 

Play it again Sam!... remain humble, passionate and add value to every position you hold. Don’t hesitate to take risks and potentially make mistakes.

If you would like to take part as a leader in this thriving sector, get in touch with Krishnan (krishnan@corecruitment.com)