As Group Operations Director for Legacy Hotels and Resorts, I lead the General Managers in our business. With an eclectic mix of hotels, both new build and beautiful listed buildings, no two days are alike. With hotels from Preston to Southampton and both branded and independent, there is a new opportunity almost every day. My hospitality career started in Shrewsbury at the then independent Radbrook Catering College. I went on to train with Trust House Forte ending up as a General Manager. A keen working relationship with wine in general and Champagne in particular led me to the early 2000s, where I supported Valerie Simpson in arranging the Midlands Academy dinners. I attended the course in 2004 where I had one of the most memorable weeks of my life. Standing in the cellars of Krug being taken through a tasting by Remi Krug still makes the hairs on my neck bristle with excitement. An incredible dinner with Pommery in Reims and a lunch with Pierre Emmanuel Taittinger and the late dearly missed Justin Llewelyn at Château de la Marquetterie, are memories that will stay with me forever. In 2017 I was honoured to take up the role of Chairman of the Academy, delivering my speech for the London dinner at Sea Containers House, with St Pauls behind me and a glass of my favourite tipple, Cuvee Louise 2002, what an occasion.