WE ❤️ HOSPITALITY - Scott Macdonald

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 hospitality? 

I’ve always had a love of food, presenting my own food shows in front of the mirror as a kid. So at the tender age of 11/12 I got a job washing up at the weekend at a pub that was at the end of the road where I grew up, (The Lambert Arms) in the mid 80’s it had a really good reputation for food. It kind of went from there really, washing up moved to a little prep, then cooking. The head chef was a super talented (but tough!) ex-Navy chef, Ian Watkins (I don’t know how I remember his name almost 34 years later!) I had a fantastic grounding at such a young age, I knew then hospitality was the future for me!

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

I had a non-conventional route, my career started back of house, so whilst I had a successful cooking career, I felt I had to almost start again when getting to grips with front of house. So yes, for me it was, whilst I had incredibly strong grounding, the ‘studying’ part gave me the structure I needed to connect all the dots. 

Which leader / figure inspired you and why?

 There have been so many, but the ones I have aspired to be have been the ones that have been the most inspiring, work hard be kind. People like David Orr, an incredible human being, only matched by his incredible leadership. Peter Manby, I wouldn’t have taken the Bill’s role if it wasn’t for his guidance. Ewan Venters, one of the most exceptional and talented leaders in the retail sector (now art sector) Frances Lawrence, she’s been a guiding light and my conscience for a number of years now. I literally keep going! 

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

Wow, that’s been tested somewhat over the years and not just the last one! I keep reminding myself of what it has afforded me over the years, work hard be kind. There are very few industries that have the same level of camaraderie and togetherness, there have been a huge amount of people that have had such a positive effect on me, sure you get this in other industries, but none more so these hospitality. I remind myself the value I add to others and they add to me.

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

We do lots of great stuff with Flow, we have also our own tailor-made training and development programs that allow our people to progress and develop. If they just want to make coffee forever, that’s ok too, we make sure they become Jedi masters in coffee making!

What advice would you give to those starting out in the sector? Work hard, be kind! 

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

Be braver, enjoy the ride, be serious, but don’t take it so seriously, above all believe in yourself!

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