WE ❤️ HOSPITALITY - Richard Harrison

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?

My career in hospitality started in a different sphere - as I originally wanted to be a chef and that is what I trained in. After completing my training, I realised being in a more customer-focussed role is very much what I preferred.  I enjoyed spending time with guests and creating great experiences for them and this is something that has stayed at the core of my career over the years – but I kept the skills I learned in the kitchen and can cook up a mean Sunday Lunch.

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

I think that studying does help, and it does give people a great basis of knowledge that would help them with their career. But I firmly believe that a desire, drive and will to work hard, learn and have a passion to look after people is much more important.

Which leader / figure inspired you and why? 

The very first Managing Director that I worked with was the one that had a huge influence on me, and that influence has stayed with me to this day. His management style was at a total opposite to mine but to this day the demand for high standards he ingrained in me remains and is something I very much strive for. Another important figure in my working life and someone who was key to my development was the General Manager who gave me my first Deputy General Manager role. At the time I was a Restaurant and Bars Manager and knew little about the other aspects of hotel management. But between her and the Managing Director, they saw something in me, and it led me to where I am today – something I am very grateful for.

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

I think the driving factor that I enjoy the most about the hospitality sector is our ability to deliver enjoyment to people. Anyone working in the industry can be there for some of the greatest moments in people’s lives and we get to be there to help them celebrate. When you work in hospitality no day is the same, it’s hard work and exciting at times and to my mind incredibly rewarding.

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

We work hard to help nurture talent, develop leadership within the team and bring out the best in people and their personal development. We have courses that support team members and help them to grow and hone and improve their skills and this is something that happens internally and externally by working with partners. We have also branched out into a new project and offering new services at Coombe Abbey and this has also given people the opportunity to grow their skill base.

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

I think the most important things that anyone looking to get into the industry should know is be prepared to work hard and use every opportunity as one to learn, including from your colleagues around you. There are huge amounts of knowledge within people working in the industry and most are happy to share it – in fact, they like passing on their expertise and experience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, everyone has been in the same position and values an eagerness to learn and also get involved in things outside your role.  A former boss said to me once: “No one gets promoted for doing their job, it’s what you do above and beyond it.”  He was totally right.

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

There is always more than one way to do something, be open to change and try to drive it.

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

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Date Published: 11th May 2021