Trend-spotting innovator Conor O ’ Leary applies fresh thinking to a beloved Scottish landmark .
PROFILE
THE
Trend-spotting innovator Conor O ’ Leary applies fresh thinking to a beloved Scottish landmark .
Contributed by MARY SCOVIAK
PLAYGR MANAG onor O ’ Leary admits that he doesn ’ t
C have an off switch . “ Some people snooze to dial down ;
I indulge myself in blue-sky thinking about business ,” says the 43-year-old Stratfordupon-Avon native . “ I love the challenge of figuring out how something can be done better .”
That made Ennismore ’ s 2016 offer to be hotel manager at its crown jewel , The Gleneagles Hotel , a professional pinch-me moment . Never a friend of the status quo , Sharan Pasricha , Ennismore ’ s founder and CEO , served notice that , while the new owners would be good stewards of this well-loved landmark , a multimillion-dollar investment would transform the 96-year-old resort synonymous with golf and keep-off-the-grass formality into a “ glorious playground ” — and future-proof the 850-acre Scottish resort by encouraging fresh thinking on everything from marketing to eco-friendly paving .
This was O ’ Leary ’ s chance to test himself in what would be one of the most scrutinized overhauls in the past five years or more , and to change the 5-star conversation . He drew on lessons garnered during his career-opening stint as assistant F & B director at the venerable Ritz Hotel , London , and a 12-year
32 hotelsmag . com April 2020