WE ❤️ HOSPITALITY - James Cowan

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? 

Through studying my hospitality degree at university, my placement year was with The Ascott Limited in Australia & I never left. Opportunity came my way and I’ve stuck around. I was always interested in the service industry from a young age, when I was fortunate to experience this and was engaged early on. 

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

Not necessarily, it certainly aided me in my career thus far however the sector has a huge amount of avenues, each with its own success’.

Which leader / figure inspired you and why? 

A manager that has always challenged me, inspired me to be better. What I thought I knew, did I actually. Where was I drawing my experiences from? Could I articulate my decisions?

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

The people you are lucky to meet and the exciting need to provide service – to some it just comes naturally. 

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

It varies based on need. At present everyone is dealing with and coping in various ways, therefore am focused on coaching and wellbeing. We will always be a people-based industry; therefore, staff management will always be key in developing others. 

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

Stick with it… you got into it because there was probably something that drew you in. That feeling comes and goes, but ultimately guides you to understand why the sector has some many lifelong service focused people – the thrill and enjoyment is not like anything else. 

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

Trust your gut and push yourself harder earlier, but it’s never too late.

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