Meet Roger Russell, General Manager & IHI Award Nominee
General Manager at The Metropole Hotel, Roger Russell is well known in Cork – it’s one of the perks of working for one of Cork’s most iconic hotels. Roger is a finalist in the ‘Hotel General Manager of the Year’ category at this year’s Irish Hospitality Institute Hospitality Management Awards which take place on 24th November 2022.
We caught up with Roger to find out more about his hospitality journey in advance of the awards.
How did you start your career in hospitality?
I got a summer job as a porter in a Kerry Hotel when I was 16. I used to help guests with their bags and clean the toilets. I then started working behind the bar after a couple of weeks and it was also my job to sort the bottles in the morning.
What is your favourite thing about being General Manager?
Watching the team members develop in their respective roles and seeing them progress up the ladder. We also have lots of fun as a team.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in hospitality management?
Hotel Management is not just a job, it’s a passion. Always do your best and work hard, make sure that you keep learning and growing. At Trigon Hotels, we have an accredited development and management programme so this is the place to start if you want to grow in your career.
What plans do you have for the Metropole Hotel?
We are planning a refurbishment of our Lobby area in the coming months and continuing to invest in our wonderful hotel. We are also on a very exciting journey to become more inclusive and sustainable so keep an eye out for lots of exciting news over the coming months.
Describe your job in three words
Host, Therapist, Teacher
Best of luck to all our Trigon Hotels nominees at this years IHI Hospitality Management Awards.
- Young Manager of the Year – Edel Kavanagh
- Sales & Marketing Manager of the Year – Megan P:ardy
- Finance Manager of the Year – Julie Daly
- Hospitality Employee of the Year – Sabina Krkic
- Hospitality Employee of the Year – Catherine O’Mahony
To find out more about a career at Trigon Hotels, click here.