| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 29/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 63 |
| Copyright: Other |
This week: Chris Brown, Mersey Tourism
This week: Chris Brown, Mersey Tourism
My introduction to the travel industry was spontaneous.Prior to enrolling on an accountancy degree course, I took a part-time job as a dishwasher in a local hotel.
It was during this time, in the summer of 1976, that the manager persuaded me a career in hotels would be far more rewarding than accountancy.
Four weeks before I was due to start university, I changed course and opted for Hotel and Catering Management.
I still wonder how I was persuaded, as the head chef scolded me consistently for not cleaning the pots well enough.
After graduating, I joined British Transport Hotels as a trainee manager.
My first appointment was working in the kitchen, restaurant and reception of the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool.
I really enjoyed my six months but typically as a trainee manager I was subject to many of the more laborious tasks and above all, to many practical jokes.
I remember distinctly being locked in the main walk-in fridge on a few occasions and I was often called in at 5am to do breakfast when the then fearsome breakfast chef failed to turn up. Scrambled eggs were and are certainly still not one of my fortes.
However, on the serious side, it was here that I began to put my university education into practice and to admire the discipline and pride that the senior staff demonstrated.
In 1980, I moved to London and took up the position as assistant personnel manager at the Great Eastern Hotel.
I loved the buzz of London and the first few months really toughened me up. I then moved to the Great Western Hotel and it is here that I probably matured professionally.
I owe a great deal to the then manager, Tony Short, who kept me on the straight and narrow when the bright lights threatened to dominate my thoughts. It was he who taught me one of my main working philosophies: I am here to provide solutions. I have retained that belief throughout my management career.
Eventually via Nottingham (where I attained my first general manager’s position aged 26), Birmingham (where I oversaw the building of a new hotel, despite never finding a hard hat to fit), Hull and Glasgow, I arrived back in Liverpool.
There is no doubt that the hotel industry gives you experience in living and working in different communities, constant interaction with customers and a knack for problem solving.
Eventually in 1994, I found myself back in Liverpool where in my first year, I was made manager of the year at the Moat House where I oversaw the rebuilding of the hotel while running it at the same time.
Such a juggling act gave me a few grey hairs and the realisation that local partnerships create business opportunities. Merseyside in particular is an exceptional example of this principle.
After 20 years in hotels, I wanted to enrich my experience but not move entirely out of the industry or Merseyside. The Mersey Partnership, which operates Mersey Tourism, offered me the ideal opportunity.
Merseyside and particularly Liverpool are now firmly on the map and the next few years should be challenging as we seek to increase the number of visitors to the area. We have made significant progress in uniting companies and individuals to work together as a destination, but much work lies ahead and our short-breaks promotion is particularly important.
I am looking forward to facing the challenges ahead and I am firmly of the belief that if you can create good teamwork, where individuals are given the chance to shine and take credit for their own work, you can create a business that works and plays hard together.
I am pleased to say that The MerseyPartnership is forming such an atmosphere and togetherwe look forward to welcoming the industry and morevisitors.
CURRICULUM VITAE
1979: graduated from Strathclyde University with a BA in Hotel and Catering Management.MY TOP TIPS
l Always make your decisions having placed yourself in your customer’s shoes.* Think ‘team’. It is far more effective and cohesive than having a set of individuals.
* Accentuate the positive. Try to see the positive side to help you through the negative.
* Work hard, play hard.
* Create time for life outside work.