So we're here at one of the most iconic hotels in Dubai, how does it feel? Pretty exciting,
we have three thousand three hundred staff, we're running at eighty-five percent occupancy.
Dolphins, sea lions, waterpark, everything keeps us very, very busy on a daily basis.
So can you paint us a picture of your own responsibilities?
Yeah sure, I look after about a hundred and seventy staff in total, from 15 general
accounting, about 30 cashiers 15 or 20 down in procurement and then the remainder in
logistics and stores. Normal activities, cash flow, operating expenses,
day to day activities of an operation this size. The hospitality industry in the UAE has
really progressed, where do you see it go from here? I would say I think it's going to go onwards
and upwards from here, there's a little bit of softening in the market at the moment
but definitely the future is looking good.
2020 vision for Dubai obviously is seeing the growth in the 3 and 4 star market but
also the five star market is extending as well. Did you always want to work in the
hospitality industry? Yes from when I was very young my family had a
pub back home in Ireland and I worked in the pub since you know from the years ten,
twelve years of age or whatever and I was liked dealing with people, so yes hospitality was
in the blood from the start. You have had an interesting career around the world, what
would you say have been your highs and lows? I think probably the low of the career was
when Forte closed down shop in the UK, Forte hotels in the UK. Obviously
moving to Dubai initially in 1993 and then coming back to Dubai in 2010 it was
probably the high of the career and running our own business from a
different from a business point of view, definitely something different.
Looking back in time what were the critical decisions that have led to your
success? I think initially being open to travel
in different parts of the world because there are opportunities in hospitality
around the world in different locations and then in latter years becoming
qualified in ACCA, I probably left that a bit late to be honest with you. For people starting out their
careers in accountancy and finance what advice would you give them? I think being
open to travel worldwide which I did obviously to different locations
gave me the opportunity in the hospitality industry, the other piece of
advice is get qualified earlier with the hotel and accounting
qualification behind you early on in your career. So why ACCA, why
did you choose the ACCA qualification? Definitely the most internationally
recognized
accounting body in the world and from coming from Ireland obviously
originally they were located there in a big way
and the experience that I got afterwards and the opportunities with it has given me a
lead over anybody else. How do you see the accountancy profession in the UAE
and the significance of ACCA's partnership with the local accountancy body
accountants and auditors association? I think it's a major development for both
the ACCA and the UAECA to progress into that level of professionalism, I think
the local market needs more professionals, it's a complete
diverse market in terms of financial services, hospitality and every other
industry so to get internationally qualified personnel on the ground here
between experts and the locals is key to the development of Dubai. A kind of quick
fire questions: favorite car? Mercedes. Favorite music and why? Ed Sheeren because my daughter
has it always playing. What are you most proud of?
Wife and daughter. Wife Dawn, daughter Keira. If you weren't an accountant what
career would you be in? Probably a pilot but there's also height restrictions
to becoming a pilot so that limited my ability. What's your favourite food and why?
Favorite food, Asian probably Thai food, just different tastes. What's your
usual skill? Cooking. I mix with Asian foods and spices because I was probably
brought up on potatoes and meat when I was young. Favorite place
in the world and why? Has to be Ireland. Eventually to go home to Ireland and retire and play
golf. What's your favorite place in the UAE? Has to be Dubai, just a diverse location, lots
happening in the hotel and hospitality industry, property developments
everything else, it's just the place to be.
Conor thank you very much for your time. It's been a pleasure, thank you very much.