Hazel Galloway

General Manager, Clayton Hotel Glasgow

• What was your favourite subject at school?

Music! I just loved the freedom I had and I got to be creative. It wasn’t all just about sitting at a desk and reading/writing. After secondary school I was training to be a music teacher at university in Aberdeen until I started working in a hotel and instantly fell in love with hospitality. I think a lot of my music/ teaching skills come into use running the hotel and trying to coach the team and enhance the service.

• What was your first job?

Working Part Time in a hairdresser’s while I was a school; just sweeping the floors, making the drinks and eventually I got to blow dry the hair which I really loved. If you had asked me at 16 what I wanted to do that was it! pretty sure all my hairdresser chat with the clients is another skill I picked up that suited me well to hospitality.

• Which is your favourite restaurant /hotel?

This is such a hard question to answer, working in hospitality we stay and eat in some phenomenal places. I really love the feeling of a warm welcome and homely influences with food. One of my favorite things is to have a cosy roast on a Sunday; The Drake on Lynedoch Street in Glasgow never lets me down. Hotels is such a hard one but from an outstanding luxury perspective one of the best I have ever stayed in was The Beekman in New York City.

• How do you inspire your team?

I think they would have to answer that… All I can say is that I try and lead with compassion and respect; never asking from them what I wouldn’t do myself and I try and incorporate their ideas and input as much as possible to make the hotel better for them and the guests.

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

I have worked with some very strong, resilient and inspirational people throughout my career but I think as a young woman (maybe not so young now); the people I learned most from or admire most are all the strong female leaders around me past and present. Balancing resilience, being direct and heard, being compassionate without being perceived weak but also being fun; are hard lines to walk but I think learning from others and being so supported throughout my career; especially while working with Dalata; has really cemented my love for the industry and I hope I can do that for my team going forward.

• How do you manage your stress levels?

I think I used to think stress was a good thing ‘’I work best under pressure’’ which to an extent for me is true; a little stress focuses my attention. Overall though the more experienced I have become the less the ‘’little things’’ stress me out, the more I appreciate and protect my sleeps and take more time and care for myself. I have also recently taken up running and it really can help to clear my head and boost the good endorphins I need.

• Instagram, Twitter or Facebook – and why?

 I always would have said Instagram and I do still use it but TikTok is life now. You can learn so much on there and if I am going somewhere new it’s so handy for recommendations and planning.

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

I think I would be a hairdresser; I think they are quite similar in terms of customer service skills and I loved being in the salons. Hairdressers work so hard and are on their feet all day and are dealing with lots of different preferences and clients and I think some of that definitely is a cross over with our industry.

• What did you do on your last days off?

I spent time with my friends and family this weekend which was really relaxing and chilled. Went for a nice take away coffee and a walk-through Botanic Gardens in Glasgow and along the river.

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

Bit of the gym, running or a nice walk. I am just back from a HIT executive leadership course which was amazing so I am now trying to keep my mind in the positive by introducing ‘’micro breaks’’ at work and trying to get moving or go outside more for a few minutes 3 times a day.