Chris McGuinness

General Manager, Marriott Glasgow

• What was your favourite subject at school?

I’m not so sure there would be a huge list of “favourites” but Irish History always interested me…………..

• What was your first job?

For many summers I was a Labourer during the school holidays. It was a great job, I loved it, and I was known to have made the best tea too. I enjoy working in fast‑paced environments where no two days are the same and since graduating from University I’ve worked in the hotel industry ever since. Hospitality gives me that combination of energy, service, and problem-solving that I thrive on.

• Which is your favourite restaurant /hotel?

Glasgow has such a vibrant food and drink scene covering everything from Scottish comfort food to global influences and fine dining. One of my favourites is Ho Wong in Glasgow city centre, the food is always exceptional., I have lost count of the number of guests I have recommended to visit over the years?  For my favorite hotel, I’d be accused of bias if I picked a Marriott so I would say Gleneagles.

• How do you inspire your team

People remain at the heart of everything we do. Our industry-beating employee retention speaks volumes for the opportunities we offer and the team culture we nurture. At Glasgow Marriott, I believe inspiring a team starts with leading by example and living the company’s core values every day. I focus on being present and approachable, supporting the team during busy operations, and setting a consistent standard of professionalism and service.

I also make a strong effort to recognise and celebrate success, —both individual and team achievements, — as I believe feeling valued is a key driver of staff engagement. At the same time, I invest in developing the team and providing opportunities for growth, which aligns with Marriott’s commitment to putting people first.

• Which person in hospitality have you most admired / inspired you?

Arne Sorenson who was CEO of Marriott International until his sad passing in 2021. He had a technique for making difficult things seem simple, he was a genuine people’s person who had a huge level of trust and respect across the organisation. What a great leader.

• How do you manage your stress levels?

I believe in small resets throughout the day—whether that’s a quick walk, a coffee, a chat with one of my managers or stepping back to look at the bigger picture. And if all else fails, I rely on my sense of humour, because in hospitality, if you can stay calm and laugh a little, you can handle almost anything.

• Instagram, Twitter or Facebook – and why?

I’m not a huge user of any social media platform although it is useful to stay connected and see what people are up to.  I can totally appreciate social media as a valuable tool for business, and I leave control of the Glasgow Marriott channels in the very capable hands of my Millennial and Gen X team members but I’m happy to navigate my way around LinkedIn.

• If you had not gone into hospitality, where do you
  think you would be now?

Ideally I would still be playing golf on the DP World Tour and challenging Rory to be World No 1. However realistically, I would still be on that building site from my school summers, but perhaps no longer making the tea!

• What did you do on your last days off?

I played golf – walked the dog – watched my son play football – cooked dinner and planned my next holiday

• What do you do to relax, to support your wellbeing?

Outside of work, I try to switch off, spend time with friends and family, ideally around a meal. I try to stay off e-mails, and trust the fact that “my team have got this”.