
Hosted by Paul Borg · EN
Welcome to The NextGen Hospitality Podcast, a podcast for ambitious young people ready to kickstart a career in hospitality and grow into leadership roles.
This podcast gives you the inside scoop on what it takes to rise to the top, from mastering entry-level roles to becoming a future leader in hotels, restaurants, events, and beyond.
In each episode, we bring in hospitality pros—both seasoned leaders and young trailblazers—to share how they got started, the challenges they faced, and the skills that helped them stand out.
Tune in for real stories and practical tips to build a career you love and navigate a fast-paced, ever-changing industry.

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. In this episode, I’m joined by Joanne Taylor-Stagg, general manager of The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences in London. Joanne is an award-winning General Manager and hospitality leader, renowned for driving culture, operational excellence, and profitability. Joanne shares her journey into the hospitality industry, her leadership philosophy, and the importance of team engagement. From her early days in South Africa studying law, Joanne talks about how her passion and calling took her to her current role in a prestigious London hotel We talk about the challenges and rewards of transforming a four-star hotel into a five-star experience, and how working across different roles helped her find the perfect fit. Joanne also highlights the importance of building a positive team culture and changing the way people perceive careers in hospitality. Tune in to find out Joanne’s inspiring insights on personal growth, career development, and impactful leadership. ... Aimbridge Careers: https://www.aimbridgehospitality.com/careers/ Connect with Joanne: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannetaylorstagg/ 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. In this episode, I’m joined by James McComas. James has been General Manager of Champneys Eastwell Manor Hotel and Spa since 2020, leading the team out of the pandemic and through a strategic re-positioning of the property. His 25-year career in hospitality includes work across multiple continents leading teams of up to 300 deliver experiences across different markets. His extensive experience in Country House and rural hotels is where his passion lies. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and sits on the Nominations Committee, an Innholder Scholar and Vice Chair of Trustees for the Men’s Support Charity ‘Dads Unlimited’. James shares his journey into the hospitality industry, starting from his early experiences in a hotel at the age of 15, through his university education, and into his current role managing a busy spa hotel. He discusses the importance of character and passion in career development and how he engages and motivates a large team. James also offers valuable advice for aspiring hospitality professionals, emphasising the importance of trying different roles and focusing on personal passions. ... Aimbridge Careers: https://www.aimbridgehospitality.com/careers/ Connect with James: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmccomas/ 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. In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Proctor, Global Senior Vice President – Loyalty, Partnerships & Co-brand Credit Cards at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Paul is a highly accomplished international executive with over two decades of leadership experience across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and is responsible for the global loyalty strategy supporting over 145 million members. He is known for developing high-performing teams and future leaders and lives between the United States and United Kingdom. We’re chatting about Paul’s career that has taken him all over the world, explore why loyalty and partnerships are essential pillars of the hospitality sector, and hear his top advice for landing your dream role in the industry. ... Aimbridge Careers: https://www.aimbridgehospitality.com/careers/ Connect with Paul: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/proctorpaul/ IHG Careers: https://careers.ihg.com/en/ 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. In this episode, I’m joined by the Jo Childs. Jo is the Human Resources Director at Aimbridge Hospitality. Jo is an inspiring and engaging HR leader with extensive experience in the hospitality and retail sectors such as YO! Sushi and Tesco. She has a track record of planning and delivering people strategies aligned with business goals in a fast-paced, customer-centric culture. Jo shares insights from years of experience in hospitality and retail, reflecting on how these industries have evolved throughout her career. We also discuss workplace culture, the changing landscape of hospitality, and Jo’s expert tips for building a successful career in the field. ... Aimbridge Careers: https://www.aimbridgehospitality.com/careers/ Connect with Jo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-childs-3726833b/ 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. In this episode, I’m joined by the David Anderson. David has more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry across Europe and the Indian Ocean, spanning both luxury resorts and midscale hotel portfolios. He leads the senior management and support teams to provide superior returns for hotel owners and plays a pivotal role in the company’s growth. Prior to joining Aimbridge Interstate, David spent 3 years as Chief Executive Officer of SUN Ltd (Hotels & Resorts) in Mauritius. He also held the position of Regional Vice President of the Wyndham Hotel Group, directly managing a European portfolio of 182 hotels across 5 brands. As Managing Director of Dolce Hotels and Resorts, David had responsibility for a portfolio of leading MICE hotels across major European cities. David also held the position of Regional Vice President for Northern Europe for the Louvre Hotels Group. David shares how he unexpectedly found his way into hospitality and the incredible opportunities that followed, taking him to some of the world’s most exciting destinations. ... Aimbridge Careers: https://www.aimbridgehospitality.com/careers/ 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.In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Carol Dodds. Carol previously held the role of Senior Vice President of Commercial at Aimbridge Hospitality. In this key role, Carol led revenue strategy, sales, marketing, and e-commerce, ensuring that Aimbridge's services were effectively marketed and sold, driving profitability for the company.We'll dive into the responsibilities of a Senior Vice President of Commercial, explore how Carol carved out her path in hospitality, and discuss why she believes this industry is packed with limitless opportunities.Check out these FREE resources!How to Ace your InterviewHow to Prepare for an Assessment Centre...Aimbridge Careers: https://www.aimbridgehospitality.com/careers/Connect with Carol:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-dodds/Connect with me:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-borg-crowneplaza/

Welcome to The NextGen Hospitality Podcast, a podcast for ambitious young people ready to kickstart a career in hospitality and grow into leadership roles. This podcast gives you the inside scoop on what it takes to rise to the top, from mastering entry-level roles to becoming a future leader in hotels, restaurants, events, and beyond. In each episode, we bring in hospitality pros—both seasoned leaders and young trailblazers—to share how they got started, the challenges they faced, and the skills that helped them stand out. Tune in for real stories and practical tips to build a career you love and navigate a fast-paced, ever-changing industry.