Briefing: Routes to a successful hospitality career

The Guardian has ranked the University of Surrey no1 for hospitality courses in the UK, with a satisfaction score of 93.1%. Traditionally hoteliers start at the bottom of the ladder and work their way up, learning on the job. Today, Surrey is just one of many universities that are offering aspiring hospitality professionals a chance to learn before starting their career path with the company that’s right for them. Many hospitality brands also have programmes to train young people and graduates into the industry.

In these videos our experts discuss learning and development, and finding career success:

Many young people in the UK will be heading to university come September, some to hospitality courses, and they will have plenty of choice as to where they can study.

Surry gained top rank within the hospitality, event management & tourism subject area, from the Guardian newspaper. 93.1% of final year students who completed the National Student Survey were satisfied with the course and 68% had a job in the area or were in higher education after 6 months. Other top universities for hospitality include Coventry, Robert Gordon, Oxford Brooks, and Derby, which had top place in last year’s ranking.

Some students may venture further afield to the top ranking universities on an international level. École Hotelière de Lausanne won best hospitality management school 2014 at the Worldwide Hospitality awards. This Swiss university has been around since 1893.

After university, or in some cases instead of, young people may enter the industry through a programme with a hotel brand.

Hilton is an active graduate recruiter globally, they run formal entry programmes for graduates in Europe and visit key hospitality schools and campus events.

Marriot also has a Leadership Development Program for graduates called Voyage which is available in more than 30 countries.

A great career takes planning and thought, and it can be beneficial to start gaining the experience you need as early as possible. For those who have been in the industry some years there will still be scope for development and much to learn, they should think carefully about their next steps. There is of course no substitute for experience, a passion for the business, and finding the right fit for you.

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Video clips produced by yBC for the Hospitality Channel, including interview from industry conferences such as the IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: preparing leaders for new world of work

Today’s business leaders are seemingly battling with multiple decisions all at the same time. Leaders are managing ‘Generation Y’ as they enter the workforce, digital technologies requiring a business to be working 24/7, as well as trying to comprehend macro-economic conditions, to name but a few.

This altering world means leaders need to be prepared and multifaceted, and it doesn’t seem like the role of CEO, Chairman and Managing Director are going to get any easier. In this briefing we hear from leaders as well as hospitality experts on the changing dynamic they are seeing. Including:

  • Richard Branson on keeping tabs on everything and everyone.
  • Debrah Dhugga, General Manager of Dukes Hotel on preparing new leaders.
  • Peter Malone, Managing Director of Madison Mayfair on the multi-dimensional aspect of leaders
  • And Graeme Codrington, Futurist at TomorrowToday on changes in leading organisations in this new world
 


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Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the most recent IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: providing value for money in low cost hotel operations

One trend in hospitality has not changed for over 2000 years – people want a good bed, a decent shower and somewhere safe to sleep the night. The growth in the low-budget sector has been testament to this.

Hotel brands still need to deliver value for money, but if the above components are at the core of any offering, the likelihood is that the perceived value of the product is high.

Many believe there will be continued growth in the budget sector with new innovations allowing the best use of space.

Experts in this week’s briefing include:

  • Joe Stenson, of Queensway Group on the transparency needed with hotel products.
  • Peter Malone, Managing Director of Madison Mayfair on delivering a great service at a reduced cost.
  • Andrew Sangster, Editor of the Hotel Analyst on the 2,000 year old trend.
  • And John Brennan, CEO of Jurys Inns Group on targeting customers at the right price.

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Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the most recent IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Candidates flying high with Hospitality People Group

Placing great people in diverse roles is something we look to achieve everyday at FM Recruitment and the wider Hospitality People Group. We place our candidates in the most sought after locations so they can develop as a professional in hospitality as well as benefiting from the wider activities that a location might have on offer.

When we placed Scott McKenzie as the Director of Finance – Compliance for the world famous Atlantis The Palm Hotel & Resort in Dubai we knew he was the right man for the job.

Six months have now passed and we caught up with Scott with how he was getting on in his role. Suffice to say, him and his family are thoroughly enjoying life in Dubai. The role has developed much further than Scott first envisaged and this “commute to work” (see picture) must be one of the most adventurous in the world!

When FM Recruitment places the right candidates the results for everyone are paramount. Scott believes the next 6 months will pass just as fast as the previous but let’s hope not quite as fast as the picture may suggest…

Briefing: the modern-day leader

Any leader of an organisation has to command with confidence and assertiveness. To pursue a company’s vision, mission and values. The most successful leaders become synonymous with their brand. Richard Branson is a fantastic example of a charismatic leader who fills his staff with the belief needed to fulfill the ambitions of the Virgin empire.

What can the hospitality leaders of today learn and how will they ensure the successful stewardship of their respective businesses?

In this week’s briefing we hear from industry experts, including:

  • Richard Branson on one of the reasons he has become so successful.
  • Peter Malone, Managing Director of Madison Mayfair, on the multidimensional personality leaders must now have.
  • Sir Nigel Knowles, co-CEO of DLA Piper, on leaders of today becoming closely associated with their brands and organisations.
  • And Debrah Dhugga, General Manager of Dukes Hotel, on preparing a new generation of hospitality leaders.

If you’ve been sent to this page but you’re not yet on the circulation list to receive these regular briefings and you would like to sign up, you can do so here. It’s free.

Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the most recent IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: global market conditions for deal-activity

Confidence in the hospitality deal-making market seems to be picking up. The volume of deals has lagged in the past few years, but has hospitality finally turned a corner? Many believe the industry is now slowly picking up again. The relief for all is paramount.

What markets will see the quickest growth in activity? Have we seen the worst of a flat market? What are the market conditions required for deal-activity? These questions are all answered in this week’s briefing, including comment from:

  • Frank Croston, Partner at Hamilton Hotel Partners, on what markets he sees picking up first.
  • Peter Malone, Managing Director of Madison Mayfair, on deal-activity finally being seen in the marketplace.
  • Clive Hillier, CEO of Vision Hospitality Asset Management, on the market that is no longer falling.
  • And James Chappell, Global Marketing Director at Horwath HTL, on the continued need for confidence in the hospitality market.
 


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Video clips produced by ybc.hpgcms.wpengine.com for the Hospitality Channel, including interviews from industry conferences such as the most recent IHIF conference as well as specific Hospitality Channel shoots.

Briefing: employing now for a certain future

Accepting the fact that ‘uncertainty is certain’ is a truth that is seen in today’s market. Understanding how you can mitigate this uncertainty can be done by employing the right people. Companies are now making the changes to their staff that will mean improved efficiencies and a sought after personalised service for customers. In this week’s briefing we hear from Guy Lean, of Hospitality People Group, Will Winch, of Mishcon de Reya and Arnaud de Saint-Exupery, of the Andaz at Liverpool Street.

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Briefing: effects of recession still being felt

There are still many effects that the recession has bought on the hospitality market. Not least the fact that we are not yet seeing the buoyancy that was seen pre-2007. Sharing their thoughts in this week’s briefing are experts that give insights on a variety of variables that could still effect the nature and speed of the recovery. Experts include, Sir David Michels, of Michels & Taylor, Martin Armitstead of Wyndham Hotel Group and Michael Hirst of CB Richard Ellis.

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Briefing: where are the skill gaps?

As the market comes tentatively out of recession there are some deep-lying skill gaps that hoteliers have to fill. In this week’s briefing we hear from key experts on the market for employ-ability within the hospitality sector. There is now a real opportunity for both individuals and employers to be part of, and create, a formidable team. Interviewees include Guy Lean of Hospitality People Group, Will Winch of Mishcon de Reya, and Sir David Michels, of Michels & Taylor

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Briefing: exploiting the data rich industry

Continuing on the technology theme, in this weeks series we try to understand how to use the data being created continuously from mobile devices, social media and feedback forums. Mining this information can help any hotel deliver that personal service that so many customers want. Reacting to this in real-time is the next obstacle, and will of course increase your customer loyalty. Hear the thoughts from key people at Hyatt, InterContinental and SwissCom below.

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