Hi Steven! Thanks for agreeing to talk to us… can you tell us a little more about yourself and what you do?
I am the CEO of Savvy Hotel Group and founder of the Hospitality Hero. I have spent 30 years in hospitality predominantly as a Hotelier, literately learning from the tender age of 15 with a hands-on learning career. I additionally play a part in Chester & Liverpool’s Visitor Economy scene, with numerous roles within the VE sector including Chair of Chester Hospitality Association, and Vice Chair of Liverpool Hospitality Association. I have also recently got involved in a great Independent Prosecco Brand called Think Wine and additionally, operationally become involved with Devafest – a 3 Day Festival in Cheshire every August.
You recently returned to IoH membership after leaving in 2019. Why did you leave in the first place?
I actually left in 2019, due to the difficulties my business undertook in late 2018/2019, which whilst now looking back, was my best learning curve, it was financially a difficult time, so it had to batten down the hatches and make savings where we could.
And we can’t ask that question without asking, what made you come back?!
I have always held the IoH in high esteem, and have been in recent months excited by the work that Robert seems to be bringing to the IoH, so given my wider involvement in Hospitality, it felt the time was right to return.
You recently launched Hospitality Hero. Can you tell us more about it?
Hospitality Hero is a dedicated Training & Consultancy business. Primarily in the new year it will launch Masterclass Video Training allowing people to watch and learn at their own pace, and I have plans to carry this through a growing number of topics. We are just this month hosting our first Art of Hospitality Conference, which is dedicated to the Education and positive promotion of the industry.
Ultimately the Hero stands for:
H: Heralding Hospitality as a dynamic industry and crucial to place making
E: Economic & Employment, championing the impact Hospitality brings to Regions, the UK & the wider world
R: Respect & Retention, educate, develop, train and support employees and operators
O: Opportunity, illustrating the changes this Industry provides through people, place and perception
What makes hospitality such a great career choice?
I believe Hospitality is the most ever changing, yet always amazing career growing industry. As I have shown, you can start as a window cleaner and become an entrepreneur and everything in between. It has such variety and opportunity to develop such a wide variety of opportunities.
Who has been a role model to you during your career?
I have been fortunate to work with some great managers along my path, people like Mark Fuller from my Queen Moathouse days, to Carole Smith from Classic Holidays Australia to Fiona Lockyer from my Ramada Jarvis Hotel days. These individuals have helped shape my career and dedication through seeing their dedication and drive.
What are your plans for the festive break?
Christmas this year will be spent unusually, at home with family, one of the few years I have had the festive season off… Feet up, turkey roasting and family time in motion!
What’s the most Wonderful, the Worst and the downright Weirdest thing to happen to you during your career?
Most wonderful is winning the Caterer Acorn Award. It still warms my heart and something I was so proud of.
The worst was redundancy unexpected in 2008, a new hotel opened and I was opening GM, but the small group got into difficulty and ten days before Christmas I was made redundant.
The weirdest… I once had to brush the bed sheets of David Gest (Liza Minnelli’s ex-husband) with a lint roller, at his request, whilst he watched me – still to this day it’s a weird one.
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