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Josiah Mackenzie

1089 posts
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  • 8 min

St Giles Hotel Group’s “Hotels with Heart”: Housing & Healing through Hospitality – Abigail Tan

🏨 In London, Hotels with Heart, led by Abigail Tan and Emily Goldfisher, transforms St. Giles Hotel into a community hub. Since the pandemic, they've offered housing to 49-100 homeless individuals, collaborating with Westminster and Camden Councils. Their Hotels with Heart Academy, launched in 2022, has trained 40 individuals in hospitality, providing pathways to employment. The initiative partners with charities like Coram and Breaking Barriers, emphasizing community support and changing public perceptions of homelessness.
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  • 1 min

St Giles Hotel Group CEO Abigail Tan on Leading Through Culture and Courage

📖 Abigail Tan, CEO of St Giles Hotel Group, shares her leadership evolution in hospitality, focusing on empathy and authentic leadership. She emphasizes creating a culture people can feel, with a loyal team having decades of tenure. Her approach includes redefining risk as "adventure learning" to foster growth. The discussion with Emily Goldfisher highlights actionable insights for building strong, human-focused cultures in a changing industry.
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  • 5 min

Inside the Malibu Beach Inn Turnaround: The Two-Year Journey to the Top of Luxury Hospitality – Gregory Day

🏨 Gregory, in 2015, joined Mani Brothers to revamp a Malibu hotel. Upon acquisition, they closed the property for renovations, including the oceanfront terrace and restaurant, consolidating staff training at their West Hollywood office. The overhaul led to a 25% staff reduction over two months. Gregory emphasized guest name usage and service improvements, working in all positions to understand staff challenges. By January 2017, their efforts earned the hotel recognition as a Leading Hotel of the World with Virtuoso accreditation.
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  • 1 min

Rethinking Formality & The Evolving Expressions of Luxury Hospitality – Gregory Day

🏠 Gregory Day, President of Hospitality at Mani Brothers Real Estate Group and Managing Director of Malibu Beach Inn, explores the evolution of luxury and formality in hospitality. He reflects on lessons from Pebble Beach Resorts and Fairmont, emphasizing the importance of balancing tradition and authenticity for memorable guest experiences. The discussion highlights varying guest expectations across cultures and regions. Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound enhances the episode's focus on hospitality brand identity.
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  • 1 min

Designing for Feeling: How Hotel Design Shapes What Guests Experience – Pernille Lind

📚 Matthias Hüttebräuker and award-winning designer Pernille Lind explore the impact of hotel design in this episode, featuring Hotel Sanders in Copenhagen and The Newman in London. They investigate how thoughtful design affects guest emotions, movements, and connections. Discover how these innovative concepts can transform your business. 🎧 Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound enhances the hospitality experience.
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  • 1 min

What Gives Me Hope in Hospitality Now – Chris Green, Humanitarian Hotels

📈 Chris Green, President of Humanitarian Hotels, discusses the current state of the hospitality industry. Amid rising costs and flat forecasts, Green emphasizes rebuilding optimism through care, connection, and staff investment. He provides insights on how leaders can inspire hope and drive positive change. Music for his related podcast is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound.
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  • 21 min

Hospitality as an Engine for Generosity: How Humanitarian Hotels Operates with Excellence & Gives Away 100% of Profits – Chris Green

💸 Chris Green, president of Humanitarian Hotels, oversees three hotels owned by the Pulte Family Foundation, which donates 100% of its profits to charity. Over the past five years, the foundation has supported 292 charities with $167 million. They prioritize staff well-being, offering multiple health plans and financial training. Their properties, including the recently renovated St. John's Resort, host major events like the LIV Golf Tournament. They've embarked on a $114 million project for individuals with disabilities.
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  • 14 min

Inside Universal Music’s Big Bet on Hospitality – Oscar Serrano, UMusic Hospitality

🎵 Universal Music Group launched UMusic Hotels, establishing a unique hospitality venture that integrates music at its core. In 2022, a prime real estate opportunity in Madrid expedited their first hotel opening in November, featuring a theater with Antonio Banderas. The hotel offers a distinct experience by hosting live performances from local music students and focusing on diverse revenue streams beyond traditional room bookings. This initiative serves as a platform for both renowned and emerging musicians.
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