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 Robert Alley, COO of Roomzzz Aparthotels.
• The best part of my job is…
“Sharing success with the team! We had our first group awards and celebration recently for our 2019 success and it was fantastic to see the team celebrate each other’s successes and results.”
• The most challenging part of my job is…
“Juggling priorities to be in three places at once!”
• My biggest achievement in business is…
“It has to be the last couple of years with Roomzzz as we have doubled the size of the business and developed a really strong leadership team.”
• My biggest mistake in business was…
“I honestly can’t think of a real clanger of a mistake, although there must have been one or two over the last 30 years, but I have certainly learned a lot about people with experience. It’s so important to keep focus and connection with your team no matter how busy you think you are or how much your inbox is shouting at you. I’m sure there were times when I should have made more time for some individuals to help them succeed.”
• If I wasn’t working in our industry I would like to have been a…
“For a long time I would have said I could have gone into law, I got a bit hooked on the drama of a courtroom after doing my jury service as an 18 year old with a lot still to learn about life!”
• The best piece of advice anyone ever gave me was…
“I have worked for two or three truly outstanding leaders over the years, and rather than one piece of advice, the people I’d go back and work with time and time again were always even handed, level headed and honest. Always able to acknowledge a good job done as well as something they wanted to see improve, and always did what they said they would do and never held a grudge.”
• If I could tell my 18-year old self one thing it would be…
“Listen to my parents advice and don’t be surprised when you hear yourself giving the same advice to the kids or younger colleagues when you get a bit older!”
• The person I admire most in hospitality is…
“There is one particular leader of a great serviced apartment business who I worked with a few years ago. He knows who he is, and he is highly respected member of our sector, a valued leader in his company and a true gentleman for those who know him.”
• The person I admire most in history is…
“This might not come as a surprise, but it has to be Sir Alex Ferguson. To have reached the very top of the game and stayed there for so long with so much success, having rebuilt the team several times over, he had a strength of leadership which is rarely found in any walk of life.”
• I am surprisingly good at…
“Many people will know I am a bit of a fitness addict, so I like to run a few miles whenever I can. However it also turns out I did quite well at ten pin bowling the other day when we took the team out after work. Maybe I shouldn’t have tried so hard to win, but it’s hard to bottle up the competitor in me!”
• I am surprisingly bad at…
“Karaoke! I love music and will belt out many a great song when I’m in the safety of the car on the M62 with no-one listening. Just don’t let me near the microphone, because it’s not going to turn out well. I can’t sing… it’s terrible… I wish I could, but I don’t want to be caught on social media for the rest of my life, so you are all safe for now!”
• My perfect day off would be…
“A long run, cooked breakfast, watch the match (and win!) with some mates, then a nice dinner and a movie.”
