Thank you for taking part in our special #Pride2026 spotlight interview, Aaron! To start, can you tell us a little about yourself and your career to date?
I began my hospitality career at 16, working part-time front of house in a local restaurant in East Belfast. I remained there for six years while completing my Economics degree at Ulster University, progressing through supervisory and assistant management roles and helping open several new restaurants.
After graduating, I spent a year with HMSHost managing food and beverage outlets in Belfast City Airport before moving to Galgorm Resort, where I developed my hotel experience and was later promoted to Assistant Head of Operations. Following six years at Galgorm, I joined Culloden Estate & Spa as Deputy General Manager. During that time, I completed a Master’s degree in International Tourism and Hospitality Management and received a scholarship from the Master Innholders.
I then moved to Mount Juliet Estate, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, to gain experience in Ireland and within an international brand environment. After two years there, I was appointed Hotel Manager at The Westbury in Dublin, part of The Doyle Collection, where I currently work.
Alongside my operational career, I have been actively involved with the IoH Northern Ireland region since 2018, serving as Treasurer, Vice Chair and, for the past two years, Chairman.
And on that note, what exciting plans does the region have for our Northern Ireland members this year?
There is certainly a lot happening for our IoH Northern Ireland members this year. Following its postponement due to severe weather warnings in January, I’m delighted to share that our student conference, ‘Hospitality Inspires’, will now take place in September. Bringing together students, educators and business leaders to inspire the next generation of hospitality professionals.
In March, we hosted a successful networking event and officially launched this year’s Awards for Professionalism. We have another networking and celebration evening planned for August, ahead of the Awards for Professionalism Gala Dinner on 11 September. This year marks the 29th anniversary of the awards, continuing to celebrate outstanding talent and achievement across our profession in Northern Ireland.
Later in the year, we’ll host our annual Round Table event and are also working on an additional networking and CPD event before year-end.
Overall, it’s shaping up to be a busy and exciting year, with a strong focus on professional development, recognising excellence and creating opportunities for members to connect and learn from one another.
As you mentioned, you’ve recently started a role as Hotel Manager at The Westbury in Dublin. What have been the biggest opportunities and challenges that have come with this move?
Moving to Dublin has been an exciting step in my career. It’s a vibrant city with a thriving hospitality scene, and it’s a privilege to lead one of Dublin’s most iconic five-star hotels.
One of the biggest opportunities has been immersing myself in a new market, expanding my professional network and building relationships across the sector. It has also allowed me to strengthen connections within the hospitality profession, both north and south of the border, something I’m passionate about through my involvement with the Institute of Hospitality.
The pace of the role has certainly been a challenge, but also one of the most rewarding aspects. Operating a busy city-centre luxury hotel requires constant agility and attention to detail. Guest expectations are incredibly high, so we remain focused on delivering exceptional experiences while maintaining the standards of excellence The Westbury is known for.
Overall, it has been a fantastic experience and one I’m thoroughly enjoying.
As we celebrate Pride Month this June, what does Pride mean to you personally?
For me, Pride is a celebration of community, inclusion and belonging. At its heart, it’s about people, and that’s exactly what hospitality is about. Our profession serves and is served by people from all walks of life, and that diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
Pride is also about authenticity and creating environments where people feel comfortable being themselves. When people feel valued, respected and included, they can thrive both personally and professionally.
I also see Pride as an opportunity for education and understanding. It encourages important conversations, broadens perspectives and reminds us that creating inclusive workplaces and communities is an ongoing journey. For me, it’s a celebration of progress while recognising there is always more to do.
What made you join the Institute of Hospitality, and which resources do you use the most?
I joined the Institute of Hospitality because I wanted to be part of a professional body committed to raising standards, supporting development and championing our profession. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about giving back, and the Institute has provided an excellent platform to do that.
Through my involvement, I’ve had opportunities to mentor others, contribute to guest lectures at Ulster University and work alongside Further Education colleges across Northern Ireland. I’ve also supported programmes delivered through Springboard and the Rotary Club, helping showcase the opportunities hospitality offers and encouraging people to consider careers within our sector.
The Institute has helped me build a strong professional network and collaborate with organisations such as the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation and Hospitality Ulster. One of the most rewarding aspects is helping nurture the future talent pipeline. I’m passionate about this profession and want others to experience the same sense of opportunity, fulfilment and career progression that I have.
I regularly use the Institute’s online content, particularly the podcasts, sector insights and member benefits. However, the most valuable aspect is the opportunity to connect with other professionals, learn from peers and continue developing both personally and professionally.
As an IoH Fellow, how important is it to you to support the future growth and development of the profession?
It’s incredibly important to me. Being a Fellow is about much more than a professional designation; it’s about a responsibility to support the future of our profession through mentoring, coaching and giving back. You may notice I don’t refer to hospitality as an ‘industry’, but as a ‘profession’, because I believe the language we use helps elevate our standing as a skilled, disciplined and impactful profession.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my career is seeing people grow and develop, whether that’s a student exploring hospitality for the first time, a colleague progressing in their career or someone seeking advice and guidance.
Hospitality is, and always will be, a people business. Our success depends on attracting, developing and retaining talented individuals, so we must continue creating opportunities for learning, development and progression. Whether through mentoring, education, networking or sharing experiences, we all have a role to play in nurturing the next generation.
If we want our profession to continue to thrive, investing in people must remain a priority.
Who has been a role model to you during your career?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate throughout my career to work alongside and learn from a wide range of talented people. Rather than having one single role model, I’ve taken lessons from many different individuals. Some have taught me about leadership, others about resilience, commercial thinking, guest experience or how to build great teams.
I’m naturally ambitious and committed to continuous learning and self-development. One of the things I love most about hospitality is that there is always something new to learn and someone new to learn from.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no matter what stage of your career you’re at, there’s always value in listening, asking questions and being open to learning from others. That has been one of the biggest contributors to my own development.
Lastly, have you seen any positive changes in inclusivity and diversity across the hospitality profession during your career?
Absolutely. When I look back over my career, I’ve seen significant progress in how our profession embraces diversity, inclusion and belonging. Hospitality has always brought together people from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences, but there is now a much greater focus on ensuring that diversity is actively recognised, celebrated and represented at all levels.
Many organisations now have dedicated colleagues and champions driving inclusion initiatives, while diversity and representation have become increasingly important considerations in recruitment, leadership development and workplace culture.
I’ve also seen a real evolution in the way we work. How we communicate, the flexibility we offer and the way we do business have all changed considerably. The expectations of both guests and colleagues continue to evolve, and collectively we have become much better at listening, adapting and responding to those changing needs.
While there is always more we can do, I believe the progress we have made has been hugely positive, and I’m excited about what the future holds for our profession. It’s an amazing sector to be part of, and I believe its commitment to inclusivity, diversity and opportunity will continue to strengthen in the years ahead.
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