Hi Andrew! It’s been a year since yourself and Mike Wood MIH took part in a special reopening spotlight for us. What have you been up to over the past year?
What an extraordinary year. Business has bounced back rapidly and recruitment and rising costs have been our biggest challenges. Nevertheless, we are like so many in our sector – resilient and optimistic and frankly we get on with driving forwards. And with this in mind, I was a speaker at IoH’s student event Passion 4 Hospitality at the end of last year, and recently hosted an IoH In Conversation on the very important subject of mental health. I have just got back from California, meeting travel agents and businesses with needs for London. There is such a sense of readiness to return to normal and for business to be even busier; it is overwhelmingly positive.
How has the last year since reopening been for yourself and the team at The Hari?
We have been very fortunate adapting to changing circumstances. We initially focused on staycations and gave guests an opportunity to travel to the south of Italy through our Amalfi-inspired Garden Terrace – which has been our most successful activation to date. Despite obvious challenges, the team still managed to deliver the same high levels of service that The Hari guest has become accustomed to, and I am incredibly proud of them.
Last year we spoke about the challenges, talent, and skills shortages in the Hospitality Industry. Do you feel that these challenges have been met and has the last year brought any new and more difficult ones?
We are lucky enough to now be back to pre-covid staffing figures, and I am so thankful to the team we have here. The challenge still very much exists. There is real competition to secure candidates and with the rising living costs, hospitality is fighting to match other sectors.
How do you feel the industry has evolved over the last year?
We have seen a real shift towards sustainability. Guests are now looking for the most eco-friendly options as everyone has to do their part to battle climate change. Here at The Hari, we have employed a Sustainability Coordinator to lead us forward on all our green initiatives. I am excited to see where this takes us, it is a movement I really believe in.
What has stood out for you over the last year?
A key focus has been placed on the well-being of our staff, fostering an employee culture which understands the importance of a work-life balance. We have implemented many valuable initiatives and benefits for our team members that echo our core beliefs of care, connect, and celebration. We also created a People & Wellbeing Executive role, to place a special emphasis on the wellbeing of each member of staff. Employees of The Hari benefit from monthly health check-ups and can even take advantage of a monthly masseuse, therapist and chiropodist appointments.
Understanding that the hospitality needs to step up when it comes to work benefits, we have looked to other industries to compare and see which new initiatives can be implemented; this is only the beginning.
Why say #imin to the IoH?
It is moving at an extraordinary pace – becoming ever more relevant to those of all ages and experience with a desire to either learn or contribute. I really sense this is an organisation at a turning point, driving forward with initiatives and actually touching our industry at all levels – I am proud to give my time.
What are your predictions for the next 12 months in equally the industry, the Institute and your own property?
Massive optimism. As an industry we lost so many good people, but salaries have improved as a result, as have overall working conditions. So, let’s stop talking it down and celebrate that we are an attractive career ambition.
What’s the most wonderful, worst and downright weirdest thing you’ve ever experienced during your time in hospitality?
Definitely all three in being asked to work with Robert Richardson!
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