What do you love most about your job?
The ultimate satisfaction is leading a team of engaged colleagues in stretching the boundaries of the hostel experience for our guests.
Who inspires you in life and in the industry?
1) I am VP of rugby club and I’ve been at the same club for years among team members who inspire me.
2) I’m inspired by the trainees of today because they are the skippers of 20 years from now and if we don’t invest in these people, we won’t inspire, and motivate them in their training. I am old news and it’s my job is to replace myself. Even though it’s my business - I need to replace myself.
3) I’m also a Free Mason, which is a great source of inspiration for me.
What do your friends/family think of your job?
They think I’m mad.
What is the biggest mistake you ever made at work?
The biggest mistake is the thing I learnt the most out of. It was the Stag pub project - a mistake because it was in a poor location.
What has been your biggest career achievement?
Building Paris – We went from a hole in the ground to £100k a week, without making the mistake of trying to understand the French, but actually working with them to decipher their way of doing things.
If you could go back in time and give yourself one bit of career advice what would that be?
Product is king. The bunk bed of today does not meet the requirements of the customer of tomorrow. When we started we had army issue bunk beds were fit for the job then. The customers of today however are more sophisticated. Back then we only had one power socket in each room but now in Paris for example, each bunk has its own power socket, reading light and privacy!
What is the most expensive thing you own?
It has to be my house
Gherkin or gurkout?
I don't understand Gurkout
Marmite – love it or hate it? Love it
I Love it
Favourite chocolate bar?
Lindt 85% Cocoa
What do you want to be when you grow up?
By definition I don’t think I have grown up. I never want to.
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