Seymour Hotels Centenary Magazine SPREADS - Flipbook - Page 56
A safe
pair of
young
hands
“As the fifth generation to work in the family business, I don’t
want to be the one to mess things up!” smiles Matt Seymour.
Though said in jest, it’s evident that Matt takes his role as
Group Operations Co-ordinator extremely seriously.
M
att took up post in September
2017. Knowing he would join
the firm someday, he was
committed to gaining skills that would
benefit the business before he did. “I
didn’t want to be gifted the role. I had
to earn it and know I was adding value
when I did.”
Adding value comes in the form
of excellent people and project
management skills - skills honed
managing Jersey Surf School, working
with Octagon Sports Management,
coaching surfing with Quiksilver in
France and five years in the finance
industry gaining important foundation
ACCA and CMI qualifications.
Starting in Group Operations was
the perfect grounding for Matt’s
introduction to hospitality. With the
department overseeing everything
from food and beverage activities and
supporting the General Managers to
ensuring service and training standards
are maintained, regulations are adhered
to and environmental standards are
met (and exceeded where possible) no
two days are the same. “It’s given me
a fantastic chance to work across all
properties, troubleshooting, lending
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support, being an extra pair of eyes and
ears and liaison between teams.”
But Matt isn’t here to just do things
the way they’ve always been done. He
recognises the opportunity to step back,
look at broader industry trends and
identify opportunities for the Seymour
Group to remain one step ahead and
future proof.
He recognises the opportunities
presented by technology for back office,
kitchen and maintenance streamlining
and efficiencies. But front of house
the use of technology, which can often
create a barrier, remains carefully
balanced with human interaction to
ensure the renowned Seymour level of
service is maintained.
Environmental responsibility is
far from a tick-box exercise for Matt.
Building on the significant amount of
work already undertaken to improve
the group’s overall environmental
footprint, Matt undertook a full
environmental audit in 2018 in order
to identify further changes for better
waste management, reduction in plastic
use and sourcing more sustainable
alternatives. “Winning the JHA’s Green
Award was great for everyone involved
in improving our environmental
impact, but this isn’t a one-off
project. Owning 12% of the Island’s
bedstock, we have the opportunity and
responsibility to lead the way and are
committed to doing so.”
Acknowledging with huge respect
the mentorship provided by his father
David, Matt is hoping for a good few
years of ‘handover’ and shadowing
before David retires. “Many would
struggle with the always-on nature of
working with your family, but it’s a
privilege and I’m soaking it up. I love
picking my parents and grandparent’s
brains, hearing why each generation
was different, their challenges and how
they overcame them. It’s important to
have these conversations, to understand
how we got here today to inform how
we move forward in the future.”
Matt’s softly spoken but steely
determination to future proof the
business gives you confidence this
family firm definitely won’t stop with
the fifth generation. When the time
comes, the Seymour Hotel Group will
be in a very safe pair of hands.
Locally owned and operated family business
serving the Island of Jersey for over 65 years.
Proud supplier to Seymour Hotels for over 50 years.
Battrick’s Seafoods, Victoria Pier 01534 877477
Battrick’s Food Service, Rue des Pres Trading Estate 01534 876767
SIMPLY THE BEST
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