Kerry Donaghy

Respitality Manager, Shared Care Scotland

What was your favourite subject at school? I loved English, and I would say I’m still a part of the “Grammar Police” force to this day! I remember writing an essay on the Trainspotting novel in fifth year – I really enjoyed delving into the themes and hidden meanings of the story.
What was your first job? In typical 90s Scottish fashion, I was a paper girl for my local newsagent. I rode my bike the first morning, had my dad drive me around the second day and packed it in on the third day – turns out I’m not the most productive at 6am….
Which is your favourite restaurant /hotel? I stayed at Crowne Plaza in Glasgow for the first time last summer when my partner, my brother in law and I went to TRNSMT and it had everything I was looking – the staff were friendly and accommodating, there was a sauna and swimming pool to relax in, the food was amazing, it was central to the city and the room was great too. They had a quiet room set up along the hall to have a continental breakfast in, and the views over the Clyde were beautiful.
How do you inspire your team? I’m very passionate about what I do and that rubs off on my team. You can say and do all the right things, but if you aren’t fully invested or truly believe in what you are trying to achieve, others won’t be inspired at all. I also think being open to new ideas, and being honest, goes a long way too.
Which person in hospitality have you most admired / inspired you? That is a hard one, as I’ve met some many amazing people in the industry. I would say that Jeanette Wilson who is the policy manager for British Holidays and Home Parks Association is one of my inspirations. She is extremely tenacious when she has a goal, and is so well respected in her field. She also has a great balance between work and personal life, which can be very hard to strike, so she inspires me to continue striking that balance too.
How do you manage your stress levels? Talking to my partner helps me gain clarity on what the root to my stress is. I also journal how I’m feeling now and then as well, which I find helps lift that brain fog. I find my stress levels are at their worst when I don’t talk about it, because my emotions can blur my vision on the reality. Once I have vocalised or written down what the issue is, it helps me make an action plan on what I can do about it. And most importantly, it helps me to let go of what I can’t control.
Instagram, Twitter or Facebook – and why? I would say Instagram, because I love how any upload has to include a picture or video. I’m a very visual person, so I love content to paint a picture for me. The stories give me quick content to consume, without committing too much time to social media.
If you had not gone into hospitality, where do you
think you would be now? I’m in the third sector, but lucky enough to collaborate with the hospitality sector. But if I had to step away from it all, I think I would do something totally different like run a funeral directors! I think being there for people at such a profound moment in their lives would be very rewarding. And as a society, I don’t think we are comfortable enough with end of life or talk about it enough. I’d love to be a part of something that helps change perceptions on traditional views like that.
What did you do on your last days off? I went on a bike ride with my oldest son, gave the house a deep clean and caught up with some of my closest friends over a coffee and cake.
What do you do to relax, to support your wellbeing? Watching a feel good comedy, getting out in the countryside or doing a crossword are the best ways to help me wind down. A spa day also helps too!