In the latest of a regular series, we find out what makes some of the leading figures in the serviced apartment and aparthotel sectors tick. This time, we speak to Christabelle Morgan-Desouches, international development director at Aparthotels Adagio.
• The best part of my job is…
“I love meeting a variety of people working in lots of different sectors: operators, owners, funders, architects etc. I am lucky to work on a worldwide scale and can experience different types of business cultures too. It’s very motivating talking with professionals with such diverse backgrounds in and outside Europe!”
• The most challenging part of my job is…
“All the projects we work on are unique, many in different territories with different people, which is incredibly interesting but also challenging as all require a tailored approach.”
• My biggest achievement in business is…
“Seeing the Adagio London Stratford project come to reality makes me really proud. I started working on it almost five years ago and now seeing the opening approaching in April 2020 is very rewarding. We have signed four projects in London in less than five years, each one of them is a real success for the brand and for the team.”
• My biggest mistake in business was…
“Underestimating the length of time, it takes for a deal to be completed. I now manage my own expectations a lot better and am more patient, which saves frustrations!”
• If I wasn’t working in our industry, I would like to have been a…
“I would have loved to be a paediatrician – so far from what I am doing in my day to day life!”
• The best piece of advice anyone ever gave me was…
“A great deal is a deal when everybody wins. I always try to put myself in the shoes of the opposite party to fully understand their interests and make sure we come to the best agreement possible.”
• If I could tell my 18-year old self one thing it would be…
“Leave Europe! Travel and work around the world for few years, go and discover different cultures, open your mind to what is going on outside your home (I did it but not for long enough).”
• The person I admire most in hospitality is…
“I have always considered Christian Karaoglanian, the former global chief development officer at Accor, my mentor. He has been so inspiring all these years, always available and caring for the personal development of his team members, participating in deal negotiations with him has been the best training ever.”
• The person I admire most in history is…
“Simone Weil, deported during World War II, the first female to lead the European Parliament, a French judge and politician who spent a great deal of energy in helping to advance women’s rights in France. She is a widely respected figure, so inspiring.”
• I am surprisingly good at…
“Organising family events like birthdays, dinners… While working in this industry can be quite demanding, I always keep personal time aside for my family and pay them attention.”
• I am surprisingly bad at…
“Karaoke, for sure. I did it with my colleagues few weeks ago during a team building event in Cabourg. They can testify on how bad I am at singing!”
• My perfect day off would be…
“Riding horses with my two daughters in the countryside, in the forest of Rambouillet or Chantilly, just outside Paris. Horse riding when you live in Paris is definitely a challenge.”
