Introducing this week’s #HotelierOfTheWeek! 🥂
Andy Barnsdale is the General Manager at The Principal York (currently being rebranded to The Milner York) and started his career behind the bar in a hotel on the Isle of Wight for a summer season, with the intention of learning as much as he could so he could fulfil his goal to one day run a pub. Instead, Andy found himself on a management track moving across different roles within hospitality, ultimately progressing to become a General Manager across multiple resorts for Bourne Leisure Ltd. “From that point on I knew exactly where I wanted my career to go, I had my sights set on management in hotels,” Andy said.
Andy moved on to become General Manager at multiple venues, which provided him valuable experience to run large scale period properties and successfully grow their business and people.
For Andy, every day as a hotelier is a unique adventure. In his role, he thrives on the unpredictability of each day, finding joy in the diverse challenges and rewards that come his way. Andy revealed that the most fulfilling aspect of his role is witnessing the hard work of his dedicated teams come to fruition, resulting in exceptional hospitality experiences for guests. Andy takes immense pride in mentoring his team members, helping them grow and supporting them in achieving their goals.
Currently, Andy is excited about the ongoing rebranding of The Principal York. He has played a pivotal role in promoting top employees to key positions to ensure a smooth transition in the hotel's identity and culture. Walking into the hotel each morning, he said “I feel a deep sense of pride and accomplishment.”
Andy emphasised the importance of thorough research and first-hand experience for anyone entering the hotel industry. He advises prospective candidates to visit the property they are interested in, engage with the staff, and experience the hotel as a guest. This simple yet profound step can make a significant impression during the interview process. The hotel industry offers a multitude of opportunities for career growth and seizing these opportunities with a willingness to get involved is key to building a successful career in hospitality.
Throughout his career, Andy has had the privilege of working with outstanding people and properties, achieving commercial success, and winning multiple awards. Among his accolades are receiving two rosettes and an AA 4-star rating for his hotels.
However, Andy considers the ongoing rebranding of The Principal York to be a defining moment in his career. Being part of the historic and iconic York hotel’s transformation offers a sense of great pride and honour for Andy, as he looks forward to solidifying the upcoming Milner York’s reputation as the city's best-loved hotel. Andy’s dedication to his role and his team, along with his passion for creating exceptional hospitality experiences, truly make him our worthy Hotelier of the Week.
Experienced Leader, Small Business Owner
2moThank you to the Fairmont team for having us at the hotel Friday. We enjoyed our visit!