Join us for a laughter-packed and enlightening episode I dive into the captivating world of Trudi Parr, Head of People at Mollie's (https://mollies.com). Trudi takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the hysterical, the surreal, and the downright cool moments that define her journey in the hospitality industry.

🎤 In This Episode:

1. High-Profile Shenanigans: Trudi spills the beans on the unique perks and backstage drama of working at iconic events like Radio 1's Big Weekend and Glastonbury. From managing surprise acts to the secret world of talent logistics, you'll hear stories that'll make you laugh out loud and wish you were there.
2. Pink Floyd & Private Soundchecks: Phil recounts a jaw-dropping anecdote from episode one with Chris Fletcher, where Chris witnessed a private Pink Floyd soundcheck at Hard Rock in Hyde Park. Imagine having one of the greatest rock bands play just for you!
3. Mistaken Identity at Paddington Station: Prepare for a hearty laugh as Trudi recounts a hilarious incident where she mistook Duncan from the boy band Blue for a friend at a train station. Classic mix-up, classic humour!
4. Innovation with the best: Moving beyond the glitz, Trudi delves into building Mollie's—a new, cool, accessible, motel and diner brand from the mind SOHO House titan, Nick Jones. Hear about their next big opening in Manchester and the quirky, high-quality offerings at their existing sites.
5. Celebrity Sightings & Serendipity: Get ready for more celebrity stories, including liaisons at Celtic Manor’s celebrity golf event, and Phil’s newbie days at London’s Coco nightclub, where politeness from Simon Webbe of Blue stole the show.
6. Embarrassing Blunders: Nothing beats learning from mishaps! Trudi spills on accidentally sending a personal email to her MD and the amusing yet instructive feedback she got. Plus, cringe along with Phil’s email typo that charmed clients despite its excruciating error.
7. The Heart of Hospitality: Beyond the anecdotes, Trudi reflects on the essence of her career, her transition into people management post-COVID, and finding joy in the day-to-day interactions that make this industry special.
8. Manifesting Goals & Career Pivots: Discover how career visualisation and intentional breaks led Trudi to her current role, stressing the value of alignment between personal values and professional paths.
9. Resilience & Reinvention: Trudi’s candid take on the personal growth spurred by the pandemic, embracing life’s serendipitous journeys, and the importance of genuine human connections in your work.

Tune in to this episode for a perfect blend of humour, heartfelt moments, and invaluable insights from one of hospitality’s most dynamic figures. Whether you're in the industry or just love a good story, this one’s a guaranteed treat!

Subscribe, listen, and laugh—it’s all happening right here on Hospitality Meets! 🎉

The Guest

Trudi Parr is the Head of People & Development for Mollie's

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudi-parr/

Mollies - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/molliesmotels/

The Sponsor

Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance,...

In the latest episode, Phil brings you an engaging and humour-infused conversation with Andrew Evers, the charismatic Group Director of IT for Rocco Forte Hotels. Grab your popcorn and settle in for an entertaining journey through technology mishaps, personal growth, and the evolving role of IT in hospitality.

Key Highlights:

1. Telephone Tales: Andrew welcomes Phil to the iconic Alexander Graham Bell suite at Brown's Hotel in London. Did you know this suite is named after the first telephone call made from (or to) the hotel? Imagine the chaos if they had mis plugged cables back then!

2. IT – Not Just Fixers Anymore: Andrew shares how the so-called IT department has metamorphosed into the all-encompassing technology team, interfacing directly with guests to enhance their experiences. Fixing glitches? That’s old news—we talk about making systems sing!

3. Cable Catastrophes and Overcoming IT Challenges: Enjoy a good laugh with Andrew as he recounts a technical issue involving a misplugged cable. Spoiler: the secret to resolving it is humour and a cool head. Think your IT issues were bad? Think again!

4. The Evolution of an Extroverted Techie: Busting the stereotype of the introverted IT guy, Andrew reflects on his journey from an ultra-social kid fascinated by technology to becoming the IT leader of a luxury hotel brand. No university? No problem! Perseverance, passion, and the knack for self-paced learning worked wonders.

5. Mid-Show Fun: Phil introduces the classic IT term “ID ten T error," which humorously spells out "idiot," bringing light-hearted banter and relatable chuckles. Ever heard of a "problem between the keyboard and the monitor"? The duo laughs over common IT troubleshooting clichés.

6. Balancing Old Charm with New Tech: Step into the architectural maze Andrew navigates while updating technology in historical hotels. How do you modernise without losing the charm? One careful step (and wire) at a time.

7. From Waste to Wonders: In a surprising career detour, Andrew briefly strayed into the world of waste management. Missing the chaos and creativity of hospitality, he eventually returned to where he belonged. Expect some quirky insights and real talk about finding one’s true calling.

8. Passion Over Papers: Andrew's story is a testament to rising through the ranks without formal qualifications. Phil lauds his achievements, and Andrew emphasises that passion and perseverance can trump traditional credentials—take notes, aspiring techies and hoteliers!

9. Crisis Management with Kindness: Andrew doesn’t shy away from discussing the difficult decisions he had to make during crises. His mantra was simple: protect your team and treat everyone with respect, even when the problems seem insurmountable.

10. Closing with Camaraderie: Both Phil and Andrew express their excitement for future advancements and growth. With shared hopes and laughs, this episode wraps up on a note of inspiration and camaraderie.

Whether you’re a technology enthusiast, hospitality professional, or a fan of amusing anecdotes, this episode brims with wit and wisdom. Tune in for a hearty mix of humour, heartfelt stories, and valuable insights straight from the trenches (and server rooms) of hospitality IT.

Subscribe, rate, and review to stay updated on more such engaging episodes!

The Guest

Andrew Evers works for Rocco Forte Hotels as their director of IT. He has worked in technology for 27 years and alongside hospitality since 2011.

Instagram -

😂 Episode Summary: Have you ever wondered how you can meet Kiefer Sutherland, dodge recruitment woes, and still run one of the world's most historic hotels? Well, grab your aprons and notepads because Franck Arnold, MD of The Savoy, spills the beans (and maybe some champagne!) in this rib-tickling yet insight-packed episode. Spoiler alert: It's not all afternoon tea and cucumber sandwiches (Shame) 🍸

🗣️ Key Takeaways:

1. Four-Day Fantasy or Reality? - Ever dreamed of a four-day work week? Franck reveals that some lucky souls in hospitality enjoy this with 10-hour days. Your weekends just got better!
2. Travel and Triumphs - Like Franck, you may find that wandering through global hospitality hubs isn’t for everyone. But if London is your “happy place,” then you’re already halfway to Savoy success!
3. From Culinary Curiosities to Grand Hotels - Franck’s journey began in a hotel school in Strasbourg. From a foodie's dream to managing global icons, his pathway is as diverse as the hotel menus!
4. Fail Fast, Learn Faster - Franck’s mantra: Fail quickly and often for rapid growth. 😂 Turns out, the school of hard knocks has a pretty good curriculum after all.
5. From Military Service to Michelin Stars - Who knew military training could translate to five-star service? Franck's time as a steward in the French Air Force proves that discipline can come with a side of luxury.
6. Innovative Firsts at The Savoy - From electric lights to women smoking in public, The Savoy has always been ahead of its time. It's like the hotel version of a rock’n’roll rebel with room service.
7. Youth Outreach & Celebrity Encounters - Want to recruit the next generation? Maybe letting them meet a celeb or two, like Kiefer Sutherland, might just spark their interest.
8. COVID-era Creativity - How do you jazz up a historic hotel during a pandemic? Just ask Franck about seafood bars and jazz outlets named Solas. Necessity is the mother of delicious innovation!
9. Gordon Ramsay & More – Partnerships for the Win - When you're in the hospitality industry, teaming up with brands like Gucci and chefs like Gordon Ramsay isn't just name-dropping; it's survival of the fanciest.
10. Inclusivity and Diversity - A Recipe for Success - The Savoy champions diversity in hiring, proving that luxury and inclusivity can be the perfect mix.
11. Savoy’s Snazzy Titles and Honours - It’s not all work and no play. The Savoy just bagged the Fairmont Hotel of the Year 2023 globally. Who knew being fabulous could be so rewarding?

🛎️ Big Takeaway: While you might not make millions in hospitality (But some absolutely do), the industry offers a treasure trove of personal fulfilment, global adventures, and, if you’re Franck Arnold, a reason to meet some pretty cool people along the way.

Enjoy!

The Guest

Born in Strasbourg, France, Franck Arnold has over forty years of experience in the hospitality industry. Initially trained as a chef, Franck began his hospitality journey by attending the Hotel School of Strasbourg (France), earning a Hotel Management and Culinary Arts degree, followed by a Masters in Hotel Administration from IMHI Cornell-ESSEC (Paris) and his M.B.A from Henley Management College (UK).

Franck has worked in luxury hotels in six European countries including 10 years in the UK, 10 years in the US and five years in Canada. He has worked for well-known luxury brands and independent hotels in North America and Europe including the IHG hotels, The Four Seasons Chicago, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto and The Balmoral.

He joined The Savoy in...