What’s a great piece of helpful career advice you’ve been given, that you’d pass onto others?
Make mistakes fast and often. Something I’ve never forgotten from a tutor at university.
What moment in your current job really cemented your passion for what you do?
My first trip to Stoke-on-Trent where I saw bone china being handmade for the first time. I was totally awestruck by the skill of the potters, and their meticulous skill has remained integral to our purpose as a business.
What professional achievement have you been most proud of over the past year?
Winning our two largest orders to date, for two of the most exciting London hotel openings from globally renowned brands in 2023. Watch this space!
What is a key professional goal you’ve set for yourself over the coming year?
To ensure our supply chain is as robust as possible. This has been a challenge since the pandemic, but we’re now in a much stronger position to invest further into our supply chain in Stoke-on-Trent, which will allow for more sustainable growth whilst ensuring ceramic skills are passed on to a new generation of potters.
Personally, what highlight is on the horizon for 2023?
Moving to Somerset. I have a one-year-old son, and my wife and I have decided it’s time to move out of London to a bigger house with more outside space. I love London and I’ll still be in town 3 days per week, but now seems like the right time for a big change.
What’s a great piece of helpful career advice you’ve been given, that you’d pass onto others?
We refer to agricultural advice from farmers. Sometimes the hardest thing to do and the right thing to do are the same – “if you’ve got a very big hole to dig, use a very big digger!”.
What moment in your current job really cemented your passion for what you do?
Being granted and retaining our Royal Warrant. Axminster Carpets has served the royal household since the time of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
What professional achievement have you been most proud of over the past year?
Making the short list for the Best British Luxury Brand at the Walpole British Luxury Awards 2022.
What is a key professional goal you’ve set for yourself over the coming year?
Proudly showcasing Axminster Carpets as the finest carpet in the world. Our sustainable wool carpets are woven on world-renowned and globally unique 8-pitch traditional Axminster looms. Furthermore, achieving this success with many third and fourth generation family employees at the Axminster Carpets factory in Devon.
Personally, what highlight is on the horizon for 2023?
For both of us, taking a holiday!
What’s a great piece of helpful career advice you’ve been given, that you’d pass onto others?
A well-versed piece of advice that I was lucky enough to pay attention to in my youth – given to me by my economics professor, Dr Brown – was to find a career that you are passionate about so that you enjoy what you do every day.
What moment in your current job really cemented your passion for what you do?
Whilst chasing a guest’s dog during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee across Green Park, I thought, "if I don’t love what I am doing, I wouldn’t be doing this now!".
What professional achievement have you been most proud of over the past year?
I am proud of leading a team of passionate individuals to rebuild the business coming out of the pandemic and re-establishing The Lanesborough’s British identity in the market.
What is a key professional goal you’ve set for yourself over the coming year?
With so much competition coming into the 5-star luxury market, our main focus is to continue to enhance our guest experience. We have a wonderfully distinctive Regency British product here at the Lanesborough, but what our guests return for time and time again is the incredible service that our team deliver everyday.
Personally, what highlight is on the horizon for 2023?
I am looking forward to visiting Australia to catch up with family and friends.
