#193 - Hospitality Meets Franck Arnold - Fuel from the Fail Forward

Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street

😂 Episode Summary: Have you ever wondered how you can meet Kiefer Sutherland, dodge recruitment woes, and still run one of the world's most historic hotels? Well, grab your aprons and notepads because Franck Arnold, MD of The Savoy, spills the beans (and maybe some champagne!) in this rib-tickling yet insight-packed episode. Spoiler alert: It's not all afternoon tea and cucumber sandwiches (Shame) 🍸

🗣️ Key Takeaways:

1. Four-Day Fantasy or Reality? - Ever dreamed of a four-day work week? Franck reveals that some lucky souls in hospitality enjoy this with 10-hour days. Your weekends just got better!
2. Travel and Triumphs - Like Franck, you may find that wandering through global hospitality hubs isn’t for everyone. But if London is your “happy place,” then you’re already halfway to Savoy success!
3. From Culinary Curiosities to Grand Hotels - Franck’s journey began in a hotel school in Strasbourg. From a foodie's dream to managing global icons, his pathway is as diverse as the hotel menus!
4. Fail Fast, Learn Faster - Franck’s mantra: Fail quickly and often for rapid growth. 😂 Turns out, the school of hard knocks has a pretty good curriculum after all.
5. From Military Service to Michelin Stars - Who knew military training could translate to five-star service? Franck's time as a steward in the French Air Force proves that discipline can come with a side of luxury.
6. Innovative Firsts at The Savoy - From electric lights to women smoking in public, The Savoy has always been ahead of its time. It's like the hotel version of a rock’n’roll rebel with room service.
7. Youth Outreach & Celebrity Encounters - Want to recruit the next generation? Maybe letting them meet a celeb or two, like Kiefer Sutherland, might just spark their interest.
8. COVID-era Creativity - How do you jazz up a historic hotel during a pandemic? Just ask Franck about seafood bars and jazz outlets named Solas. Necessity is the mother of delicious innovation!
9. Gordon Ramsay & More – Partnerships for the Win - When you're in the hospitality industry, teaming up with brands like Gucci and chefs like Gordon Ramsay isn't just name-dropping; it's survival of the fanciest.
10. Inclusivity and Diversity - A Recipe for Success - The Savoy champions diversity in hiring, proving that luxury and inclusivity can be the perfect mix.
11. Savoy’s Snazzy Titles and Honours - It’s not all work and no play. The Savoy just bagged the Fairmont Hotel of the Year 2023 globally. Who knew being fabulous could be so rewarding?

🛎️ Big Takeaway: While you might not make millions in hospitality (But some absolutely do), the industry offers a treasure trove of personal fulfilment, global adventures, and, if you’re Franck Arnold, a reason to meet some pretty cool people along the way.

Enjoy!

The Guest

Born in Strasbourg, France, Franck Arnold has over forty years of experience in the hospitality industry. Initially trained as a chef, Franck began his hospitality journey by attending the Hotel School of Strasbourg (France), earning a Hotel Management and Culinary Arts degree, followed by a Masters in Hotel Administration from IMHI Cornell-ESSEC (Paris) and his M.B.A from Henley Management College (UK).

Franck has worked in luxury hotels in six European countries including 10 years in the UK, 10 years in the US and five years in Canada. He has worked for well-known luxury brands and independent hotels in North America and Europe including the IHG hotels, The Four Seasons Chicago, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto and The Balmoral.

He joined The Savoy in September 2020 with a clear vision to navigate the hotel through the global pandemic, remaining true to its heritage as the home of luxurious innovation in the UK. He leads an extraordinary team to create unique luxury hospitality experiences and memories for guests, with character and a dash of eccentricity.

When he is not working, Franck is an avid marathoner, cyclist, squash and golf player. He lives in London with his wife Salima, daughter Céleste and two sons Arthur and César, together with Schnauzer puppy Jules.

Instagram - @franckxarnold

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/franckarnold

The Sponsor

Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil

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