Women are in the minority at the highest levels of executive
leadership - a phenomenon we see in every industry around the
globe. HVS Executive Search is conducting original research on the
subject, examining critical issues facing executive-minded women in
the industry.
During the course of our research Tatiana Veller, Managing
Director HVS Executive Search Moscow spoke with Robert
Gaymer-Jones, Chief Executive Officer at Sofitel Luxury Hotels on
the subject. Mr. Gaymer-Jones shared "We are moving in the
direction of trying to incorporate senior female leadership because
we feel they add to the success of our brand." He stressed
that there is no glass ceiling at Sofitel. We asked him to imagine
a day without any women in his boardroom, watch this interview to
hear what he had to say.
Is the concept of a "glass ceiling" really applicable in today's
world, and in particular, the hospitality industry? While the
industry continues to debate this subject research reveals that the
number of women at the top of an organization drops off
precipitously the further up the organizational chart one climbs.
Why is this case? Are the reasons societal, biological, or
psychological? HVS Executive Search continues to explore this
subject in a series of interviews with leading hospitality
executives from around the world.
Tatiana Veller, Managing Director HVS
Executive Search Moscow spoke with Jim Abrahamson, Chief Executive
Officer at Interstate Hotels & Resorts on the subject. Mr.
Abrahamson stressed the importance of not focusing purely on
skill-based training. He added: "It is very important to
cultivate leadership early in your career." What other advice
does he have for women entering the hospitality industry today?
Learn more in this exclusive interview filmed during the HICSA
conference in Mumbai earlier this year.
While the concept of the glass ceiling has been around for
decades, tremendous strides have been made to advance women into
more prominent leadership roles. However, the number of women at
the top of an organization drops off precipitously the further up
the organizational chart one climbs. Why is this the case? Are the
reasons societal, biological, psychological? Is the concept of a
"glass ceiling" really applicable in today's world?
HVS Executive Search explores this subject with Aly Shariff,
Managing Director of Premier Inn India. Veering away from stock
answers about societal expectations of working mothers Aly admits
that "Sometimes it is much more difficult for women to be
taken seriously in the work place." So what is his piece of
advice for women entering the hospitality industry today? Watch the
interview for more.
While many companies in the hospitality sector are beginning to
boost the number of women at senior level, much more still needs to
be done to encourage and fulfill the boardroom ambitions of female
senior managers.
HVS Executive Search held a briefing in London on the issue of
encouraging more women into senior roles in the industry. A panel
of high profile speakers including Deborah Dhugga, General
Manager of Dukes Hotel in London, Alison Frith, Managing Director
of Artizian Catering and Jillian MacLean, Managing
Director of Drake & Morgan highlighted the issues
women faced while attempting to achieve board-room success, but
also suggested that women need to take a lead from their male
counterparts by drawing more attention to their successes.
