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Nicola Taylor

CEO Chardon Hotels

  • What was your favourite subject at school?

I added ‘Home Economics’ as an extra subject in 5th year for one year and loved it. I knew so much already after growing up in a house where food was central to everything. My parents are both fully trained Chefs and my maternal Grandparents were farmers

  • What was your first job?

My first ‘paid’ job was a receptionist at 13….

  • Which is your favourite restaurant /hotel?

In the UK I’d say my favourite hotel/ club is Skibo Castle in Dornoch. My favourite hotel restaurant is Le Manoir aux Quat Saison

  • How do you inspire your team

I can only say that  I believe in, and have complete faith in, every single member of our team.

Because it’s a family business, I’m very hands on so I see them all on a regular basis – which is great because I get the chance to make that very clear to each and every one of them, in person.

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

That would have to be my parents…more recently on running the business it would be my dad, Maurice Taylor. Although working with your family is not for the faint hearted!

  • How do you manage your stress levels?

Not very well! I do however love to drive, swim and walk and that gives me time to think and unwind….I also enjoy  a glass of vino with good food

  • Instagram, Twitter or Facebook – and why?

Facebook…..too old to re-train myself, LOL

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

My first home was a hotel. I lived in hotels a lot of my childhood so I originally chose NOT to go into the hospitality business, even though I understood and knew it like the back of my hand! I worked in various other industries, my last job being the Client Manager of the Commercial Team at The Mail on Sunday Newspaper in London.  I only came back into the family business in 2003. Hospitality has changed a lot since the 1980’s

  • What did you do on your last days off?

After practically 18 months of non-stop work, I had my first days off in September 2021 , when I went on holiday to Portugal. I realised after this I needed at least another month to try to recover from the most traumatic time for me in our family business which started almost 50 years ago. I’m not convinced that month long holiday will happen, though!

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

Swimming, walking the dog, socialising with friends and family (which I missed terribly during lockdown). People in hospitality are usually more outgoing and like being around people, which is one of the reasons why the last 18 months have been particularly difficult on a personal level but hopefully, we’ll get back to “a true normal” sooner than later!