Brid Adams General Manager Quay Hotel & Spa, Deganwy

WCNW: To begin, tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I grew up in a little village called Fedamore, which is eight miles from the city of Limerick in southwest Ireland. I am the eldest of five and my parents kept the local shop supplying the villagers with their daily newspaper, their petrol and of course my mother's home-made apple tarts.

My first job in hotels was a summer job, I cycled into Limerick City every weekend and worked in housekeeping for five Irish pounds per day. After graduating from the prestigious Shannon College of Hotel Management, I embarked upon a career which has taken me halfway around the world, not only in the UK and Ireland, but also to the Turks & Caicos Islands in the West Indies.

WCNW: What attracted you to the company?

A chance meeting with an old colleague at a Shannon College alumni ball in Dublin alerted me that the Quay Hotel &

Spa had recently been bought by Tony Troy another Shannon College graduate also from Limerick. I had previously enjoyed working for Tony at Principal Hotels and there was an opening for a Commercial Manager at The Quay. So, I decided to return to the UK to give it a try.

WCNW: What did you do next?

I came to Conwy in early 2016. I love being beside the sea and decided this was a place where I could live, and this was a business where I felt I could make a difference. I was promoted to General Manager in September 2018.

WCNW: What are your main responsibilities?

I am ultimately responsible for the management and oversight of a large team of staff and the delivery of results across rooms, food and beverage and spa sides of the business.

involve?

If any of your readers ever come across a typical day, I would love to hear from them. Seriously, my days are incredibly varied since, to all intents and purposes, the buck generally stops with me.

I am usually to be found in the thick of things managing staff and guest issues around the hotel. And I love it.

WCNW: Who is your target audience and what is the main aim of the organisation?

Our individual guests, both local and from further afield are always at the heart of what we do. I always say that I like to offer the céad míle fáilte of North Wales to all our visitors.

However, I am very pleased to be able to welcome other groups from the worlds of show business, sport and politics. We have hosted rugby players, Olympians, singers, politicians and actors. We were temporarily home to many of the I'm A Celebrity team during their visit to the area and we are currently on two prime ministerial visits and counting.

What projects are you currently working on?

Having opened our new spa last year, I am still focused on making that and the associated membership a success. Moreover, I am continually working on bringing big-ticket groups to the hotel.

How have things gone so far?

The Quay has come a long, long way from the business it was a decade ago. I think I can safely say that under my leadership we not only managed our way through the covid pandemic and the disastrous impact it had on tourism, but we have turned ourselves around to become one of the leading hotels in the

I always have a strong focus on commerciality. I would like to think my owner is pleased with what this contributes to the group's annual results. And I have surprised and delighted my family by finding myself a husband over

Any difficulties? If so, how did you overcome them?

With the husband? Never!

And with the business…a customerfacing, people management role is never going to be easy. Not to mention wildcards like loss of water and storm damage.

Keeping calm, organised and focused on what needs doing generally seems to get me through. And I always like to think of my glass as being half full and to act as a radiator and not a drain to the staff.

WCNW: Did you ever think ‘I’ve taken on too big a risk’? If so, how did you overcome it?

Our recent spa opening was a big project with a big investment that I had to make work. I found that just getting my head down was the key.

WCNW: Looking ahead, what are your main aims for the organisation and how would you like it to develop?

We have some superb staff at the Quay, and I could not do it without them. So, as well as continuing to build on the excellent performance of the business so far, I want to keep recruiting and developing high-quality individuals. Someone will have to do my job one day. It helps immensely that our owner is very committed to the same thing.

WCNW: How have businesses and individuals responded to what you’re offering?

I am particularly pleased with how I have managed to build relationships with key local stakeholders like the North Wales Business Club and, of course, the Chamber.

The people and organisations that come and then return to the hotel speak for themselves.

We also have a large number of our staff who have been with us for many years, which I would like to think hasn't happened by accident.

WCNW: Are there any particular people, business leaders or others you look up to? What have you learned from them?

My staff are probably fed up with me telling them the importance of “structure and discipline” in everything they do. I learnt this early on from my tutors at Shannon College and their words have been my guiding light ever since.

WCNW: What are your career aims and aspirations? Is there anything else in particular you’d like to achieve in your lifetime

Both my mother and my grandmother always used to say that what is for you won't pass you. My husband certainly didn't.

We shall have to see what the future holds, but whatever happens, I hope my commercial, troubleshooting and project management skills will stand me in good stead. And, wherever that might be, let it not be too far from a large body of salt water.

WCNW: What message would you give to other people in business?

The hospitality business is not for everyone. However, you cannot beat it as a place to learn customer, people and commercial skills. There are plenty of opportunities if people will seize them.

L E T U S H O S T Y O U R

N E X T M E E T I N G

The Quay Hotel offers a one-of-a-kind venue for almost any function The unparalleled views of Conwy Castle, coupled with the marvelous Welsh coastline, provide any meeting at the Quay Hotel with an inspiring backdrop.

In our Inside Meet spaces you’ll find plenty of room for anything from a board meeting to a week long conference Our two Castle Suites can be arranged to host an intimate group of ten, or combined to create space for up to 240 people.

Draw inspiration from your surroundings and take in the beauty of the Welsh coastline.

W H E R E B U S I N E S S M E E T S L E I S U R E

Attending a conference doesn’t mean you have to miss out on relaxation. Stay at our coastal hotel, where business meets leisure in perfect harmony.

After a productive day of meetings and networking, unwind with a stroll along the beach, a dip in the pool, or a soothing spa treatment at our Spa at the Quay. Join us to end the day with a delicious meal in our Ebb & Flow Restaurant with stunning views of the Conwy Estuary and Castle straight from your table.