WE ❤️ HOSPITALITY - Gary Stevens

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 leisure and fitness? 

My role is in the leisure arts business and I started life out as a projectionist moving into management as I felt that offered a more secure future, looking back now that was not always the case. 

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

No not at all, practical and life learnt experience is priceless and I also believe that peer to peer learning is a good route

Which leader / figure inspired you and why? 

Initially this was my Chief Projectionist – Dave Tambling, sadly no longer with us, however I was inspired by Paul and Nita Gregg then Rosemary Squire and Howard Panter, I know that is a list but they all equal and inspirational in my eyes

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

I enjoy the team spirit of my colleagues, developing them and working with them they give you energy and a sense of purpose as you all work to achieve that same goal. Covid has changed the Theatre world enormously and although some changes were necessary, many staff were let go and now I see a huge skills gap in this industry, and some will be lost forever. 

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

I have trained many colleagues over the years, some go on to other organisations and sectors, however most always comment how they enjoyed the way I allowed staff to be nurtured and given a voice and when things went wrong how to correct it without it being detriment to them by showing them the way. 

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

Keep trying, keep knocking doors and don’t give up eventually the door will be answered. It is a tough business and over time you need to develop a good backbone, never be afraid to say how you feel either or challenge a system if you think it can be done better. 

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

To believe in myself and not be put off by those that try and steer you in a different career path.

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