Our General Manager

• Five minutes with Gordon Jackson.
  
  
• Away from the hotel, where we are we most likely to find you?

  I have three children, and I take a great interest in all of them: my eldest daughter is at Leeds College of Art - it amazes me the things that she produces; I live my football through my son now – so there's a lot of pressure on his shoulders!; and my youngest daughter will be a great netballer, I'm sure.

  I also play golf, whenever I can. I can tell you that practice does not make perfect – it makes you break your golf clubs! And, of course, I avidly watch football on TV.
  
  

• What aspect of being a General Manager do you most enjoy?

  Leading a great team of people whose passion is to deliver “Differentiated Customer Service”.
  
  

• What concerns you most about our industry and its future?
  That so many hotels regularly change ownership through the hands of property developers leaving staff confused as to who and what they are working for.
  
  This in many cases results in poor service standards, confused leadership and subsequently threatens to influence the hospitality industry`s reputation in the market place.
  
  
• Can you give examples of Shire Hotels’ family values in action in your hotel?

  “The AA Inspector comes calling” - The summary that was given on a recent “mystery shop” at Thorpe Park sums up our approach to “family values” that is firmly embodied into our culture.

  “I can genuinely say this team delivers. I now discount my experiences and watch how the staff interact with other guests and diners, which leads me to be impressed as how consistent they have been in their delivery through my stays. There appears to be real harmony in the team and a real “can do” attitude.
  
  To differentiate any one department from another would be cruel - over my visits they have all performed to a very good level for a busy commercial property.”
  
  

• What do you interpret Small Details. Big Difference. as in your hotel?

  Simply to treat each guest as an individual through the development of products and services that meets their needs. Shire Hotels has developed over 26 years, an informal guest relationship second to none, which enables our hotels to react quickly to the rapidly changing needs of the market place.

• Where would you love to have a holiday home and why?
  Southern Spain “Costa de la Luz” - great weather, an exceptionally relaxed pace of life, great beaches, great golf, tapas, Rioja - and “large measures”!
  
  
• Summarise your CV in about 5 lines
  • Born in London
  • Educated (arguably) at Highgate School
  • Then Westminster College (School of Hotel and Catering)
  • Shire Hotels 1986 to present day
  • Proud husband of Jane and proud father of Natalie, Sam and Kate