Special RepoRt : Change Makers
BradSHaw fiLE
STarwOOd CapiTaL HiSTOry : after stops at pebblebrook Hotel Trust and Chartres Lodging , Bradshaw has spent five years with the company , originally hired to oversee U . S . assets , which lasted about two weeks before he was asked to go to france and work on the Societe de Louvre investment , including the disposition of the Louvre chain . when the U . K . transaction started heating up , he added acquisitions there to his responsibilities .
CHaLLEngE : " i work and i spend time with my kids , and nothing in between . So , i ' ve lost a lot of friends along the way because i have no time for me and no time for friends . i have my wife , four girls and work , so where it ' s hardest for me is to balance things ."
CrEaTing CULTUrE : The group hired an Hr director for the urban division who rented out the monkey exhibit at the attenborough Zoo , set up a board table and held a series of meetings with both senior leadership and the gMs to talk about the cultural transformation . The theme of that day was " evolution ."
“ What we ' re creating is boutique hotels in historic landmark buildings . They are wrapped with a brand that takes its inspiration from all the wonderful facets of British culture ,” he says .
Bradshaw says US $ 225 million is being spent to reposition the portfolio internally dubbed Project 1898 , after the date the Hotel Russell in London was founded , and includes a full-scale management company being developed with a headquarters , regional sales offices and a CRS so it is self-sufficient on the distribution front . Starwood hired concept creator David Taylor of Hoxton fame to help create the new brand identities .
The new city division will launch with about a dozen grande dames such as The George in Edinburgh and The Royal York in York . As the renovation program continues , other hotels will be brought into the group , including the Hotel Russell . What makes this group even more unique is its meeting space , which totals more than
The Hotel russell , London , will become part of principal Hotel Co .' s urban portfolio following a major renovation .
even the major brands in the market . The country group will have about 25 hotels when launched .
Once the portfolios are launched , Bradshaw can wear his other hat – asset manager . “ We ' re all students in this game and that ' s a very strong motto of mine as an asset manager because it is a constantly changing game ,” he says . “ Every few months Google rewrites the rules to the world of e-commerce , design continues to evolve , disruptors appear , brands merge and technology continues to evolve . It really is about facilitating the sharing of best practices and interacting with your hotel management teams , giving them access to global insights in terms of innovation and initiatives .”
Bradshaw continues to collect unique experiences across different countries and situations . “ I ’ m surrounding myself with people who bring a knowledge base and view of the world that might be different and compliment mine . And together , really as a team , we can accomplish great things .”
32 HOTELS April 2016 www . hotelsmag . com