Welcome to the NextGen Hospitality Podcast with me, Paul Borg. This podcast is designed for ambitious young professionals eager to jumpstart their careers in hospitality and grow into impactful leadership roles.

Today, I’m joined by Mark Foster. Mark is the Managing Director of Centre Island and has led the company since 2013. He is responsible for the operational performance and development of the group, shaping strategic direction, managing franchise relationships, and ensuring both customer satisfaction and employee engagement remain at the heart of the business.

In this episode, Mark shares how his career in hospitality began almost by accident, choosing a shift in a local restaurant over a paper round, before studying Hospitality Management at the University of Manchester and gaining international experience in Gibraltar that set him on a hotel career path. He reflects on how relationships, networking and taking opportunities have shaped his journey from hotel operations to group leadership.

Mark also discusses what it takes to build and retain high-performing hotel teams, why Centre Island develops so many leaders from within, and how giving people autonomy, trust and consistent support drives long-term success.

Learn more about Centre Island:

https://www.centreisland.co.uk/

Connect with Me:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-borg-crowneplaza/

Welcome to the NextGen Hospitality Podcast with me, Paul Borg. This podcast is designed for ambitious young professionals eager to jumpstart their careers in hospitality and grow into impactful leadership roles.

Today, I’m joined by Paul Spencer. Paul is an accomplished hospitality executive with over 30 years of experience across luxury, lifestyle, boutique and aparthotel brands. Throughout his career, Paul has held senior leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and board-level positions across Europe, where he has built high-performing teams and helped scale brands internationally across both private equity-backed and founder-led businesses.

In this episode, Paul shares his journey from starting out as a chef to becoming a senior hospitality leader. He reflects on his first General Manager role, his move into regional and brand leadership, and what it takes to build high-performing teams across multiple hotels and countries.

Paul also discusses the importance of personal brand, finding the right cultural fit within hospitality and why lifestyle brands allow leaders and teams to bring more of themselves to work. He offers valuable advice on how young professionals can shape their careers by understanding their strengths, values and motivations.

Connect with Paul Spencer:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulspencerqhotels/

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-borg-crowneplaza/

Welcome to the NextGen Hospitality Podcast with me, Paul Borg. This podcast is designed for ambitious young professionals eager to jumpstart their careers in hospitality and grow into impactful leadership roles.

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Serkan Uzunogullari. Serkan is a Senior Lecturer in Hospitality and Tourism at the University of Sunderland. Serkan studied an undergraduate degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management and MSc in International Business. Prior to commencing his academic career, he gained extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality industry and worked for national and international employers including British Airways Istanbul Hilton, Ciragan Palace Kempinski, and Holiday Inn.

In this episode, Serkan discusses his journey from working in hospitality operations to becoming a lecturer at the University of Sunderland. He shares insights on the importance of hands-on experience in the industry, the impact of video games on travel behavior, and the need for innovative training programs for future hospitality professionals.

Serkan emphasises the significance of mentorship and collaboration between academia and the hospitality industry to prepare students for successful careers. He also explores future trends in hospitality, including the integration of technology and the importance of adaptability in the sector.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about a career in hospitality.

...

Aimbridge Careers: https://www.aimbridgehospitality.com/careers/

Connect with Dr. Serkan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serkan-uzunogullari/

University Profile: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/about/staff/tourism-hospitality-and-events/serkanuzunogullari/

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-borg-crowneplaza/