Louisa Kerr

What was your favourite subject at school? – History – which is not surprising as I love working in venues steeped in it!

What was your first job? – I worked in hospitality throughout most of my time at university, I hope none of you encountered my lack of silver service skills in venues around Aberdeen! Every summer I would be sent away to work rather than come home (thanks Mum). I spent many a summer working in yacht marinas on the West Coast of Scotland, which was hard work but brilliant fun and probably where I gotten bitten by the hospitality bug! My first ‘real’ job was working for Scottish & Newcastle. I joined their graduate sales programme in 2000, gaining invaluable sales & marketing experience and working with exciting brands.

Which is your favourite restaurant /hotel? – Like many of us who work in this wonderful industry I have been fortunate to sample some amazing places and Scottish hospitality is right up there with the best. If I had pick a hotel, I would say Finca Cortesin outside Marbella – but I am equally as happy with fish & chips overlooking the East Neuk of Fife.

How do you inspire your team – I hope my team would tell you that I would never ask them to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself! I encourage them to get involved in making positive changes, take ownership of their position, use their initiative and be creative. Events can only succeed when you work as a team.

Which person in hospitality have you most admired / inspired you? – I have been fortunate to have had excellent mentors throughout my career, but I have also worked with some genuinely hard-working people, who are not looking for the ‘big job’ but who just do their own job exceptionally well! It is these people that most inspire me. I have enjoyed following the career of Johnny Roxburgh ‘The Party Architect’ and the Queen’s party planner. His enthusiasm for the events industry is infectious, his creativity is limitless and he really knows how to throw a great party!

How do you manage your stress levels? – I will be honest, my ‘things to do’ list is never ending and my inbox can get on top of me. Getting out for a walk on the estates that the venues are located on can do the world of good. I am old school, I write objectives and priorities everyday… sometimes I even achieve them!!!!

Instagram, Twitter or Facebook – and why? – Instagram – because it focuses on visual content. But all social media platforms serve a different purpose and shouldn’t be treated as a catch all, they all have their place.

If you had not gone into hospitality, where do you think you would be now? – I would have enjoyed being a curator or archivist in one of the Royal Residences or large stately homes. I love visiting these beautiful buildings and hearing the stories of what has gone on in the past or the background of their contents. If only the walls could speak!

What did you do on your last days off? – I am not going to tell you as it was probably just be life admin! I am a busy working Mum, there is always something that I have to do!

What do you do to relax, to support your wellbeing? – I live in Perthshire, we moved here 4 years ago to have access to the countryside – it is amazing to have access to lochs and glens from the back door. It has been the best move ever for the whole family! I have 2 dogs that would walk for hours, I love paddle-boarding and kayaking and try to get out and enjoy the local hospitality as much as possible.

Please check out the website Website – https://roseberyvenues.co.uk