Lesley Williams
Women In Tourism, Chair
- What was your favourite subject at school?
I don’t remember any standout subject being my favourite but I do remember the one I did not like – physics! I enjoyed learning, still do, and it wasn’t just the academic side but the life skills you learn at school and the great friends you make along the way. My best friends today are my school friends.
- What was your first job?
My first “proper job” was as Assistant Restaurant Manager at the Crest Hotel in Edinburgh (now a Holiday Inn Express). I finished my exams on the Friday and started work on the Monday – how lucky was I when I think of the struggle students have nowadays to get full time employment. Looking back the role really helped me with my people skills helping me build confidence and being able to deal with problems as they arise – the breakfast chef not appearing on New Year’s Day and a queue of guests waiting to be fed! It also taught me the power of teamwork – how we can achieve so much more if we work together and support each other.
- Which is your favourite restaurant /hotel?
A difficult one to answer as there is such an amazing choice of stand out restaurants and hotels in Scotland. The Spanish Butcher and the Lighthouse Bar & Restaurant at Fingal stand out as I’ve been to both recently. I love PIGGs on the Royal Mile, and 111 By Modou in Glasgow does an amazing Sunday lunch.
- How do you inspire your team
I am not managing a team as such these days but work in different teams on different projects, and often with colleagues from overseas. I aim to be collaborative, supportive, enthusiastic and encouraging, particularly with the younger generation. They are the future and we need to empower them to drive our industry forward.
- Which person in hospitality have you most admired / inspired you?
Working in business events, the people who inspire me the most are the local champions who bid and host an international conference in their field, with the sole intention of making a difference. Be it positively changing people’s lives, advances in healthcare, changing government policy – whatever the difference might be, these local champions are the catalysts for positive impact.
- How do you manage your stress levels?
Go out for a walk in the fresh air.
- Instagram, Twitter or Facebook – and why?
Generally, none of the above. I flick into Facebook very, very occasionally.
- If you had not gone into hospitality, where do you
think you would be now?
I have absolutely no idea! My degree was in Economics and so perhaps business management of some sort. Or maybe a primary school teacher – who knows!
- What did you do on your last days off?
Visited the National Portrait Gallery to see the Alfred Buckham exhibition, the daredevil photographer, then enjoyed a lovely coffee in the café there. Such a great venue!
- What do you do to relax, to support your wellbeing?
A glass of wine and a crossword (not the cryptic ones!) is a great way to chill out for me. I started Pilates a couple of years ago and really enjoy the fact it is doing me some good, particularly my flexibility which is so important as we get older. I’ve dabbled with running – although it’s a struggle sometimes to get outside, particularly if it is cold, I feel amazing afterwards. It’s definitely worth the effort. Now where are my running shoes???
