Serving the Teesside Business Community | 35
EVERY BUSINESS IS
NOTHING WITHOUT THE
CORRECT TEAM. FOCUS
ON YOUR PEOPLE.
S
ince joining Rockliffe Hall at the end
of 2014, Eamonn’s passion, drive and
determination has spread throughout
the luxury five red star resort.
He has also steered the hotel to several
awards successes including VisitEngland’s
Large Hotel of the Year, The North-East
Tourism Awards’ Large Hotel of the Year, The
Good Spa Guide’s Best Spa for Luxury, The
59Club’s Greenkeeping Gold Award and the
hotel’s flagship restaurant, The Orangery,
featured in The Sunday Times Top 100.
Before joining Rockliffe, some previous
highlights of Eamonn’s career include
managing the Devonshire Arms in North
Yorkshire and the Mount Falcon and Spa in
Mayo, Ireland, which was recognised as the
AA Irish Hotel of the Year. He then spent five
years at the Grand Jersey Hotel, taking it to
the position of the Channel Islands’ highest-
rated hotel, gaining a Michelin Star and five
star status. Eamonn was named the Institute
of Directors’ Young Director of the Year for
2013-2014.
When I was at school, I wanted to be…a
professional footballer.
The best business decision I ever made
was…to come to Rockliffe to work with
Steve Gibson and Warwick Brindle.
The worst business decision I ever made
was…to leave the Devonshire Arms and
work in County Mayo.
The best part of my job is…working with
and meeting great people.
The biggest downside of my working life
is…that it’s highly demanding and involves
anti-social hours. I believe that key players
have to be here at key times - holidays,
weekends, late nights and so on.
If I could change one thing to help
my organisation it would be…to bring
Teesside Airport back to life. It would help
attract thousands to our area, which would
benefit all organisations in the Tees Valley
and beyond. I do believe it will happen once
someone takes it under their wing with
financial and strategic direction.
Four words to describe me are…annoying,
determined, loyal and humble.
My business mantra is…try your best at all
times and make Rockliffe the best in the UK
and Ireland.
My greatest achievement is…well, I have
managed the best hotels in the UK, Ireland
and the Channel Islands, with Rockliffe Hall
being the standout.
The advice I’d give to business start-ups
is…every business is nothing without the
correct team. Focus on your people.
The biggest character on the Tees
business scene is…Ray Mallon – a genius
in lots of spheres who does so much for the
area that goes unnoticed.
The individuals who are my tip for the top
among Tees businesses is…Steve Gibson
and John Wade. Steve for the work he has
done for Bulkhaul, alongside Mike O’Neill,
Middlesbrough Football Club and Rockliffe
Hall. He is exceptional. John is a great friend
and, again, an unsung hero in our area. He’s
done things for industry and charities for
years upon years and has never asked for
anything. A true gent and dying breed.
Teesside’s a great place for business
because…the people are a class act. They
are loyal and passionate about everything
they do. They are the unsung heroes of the
North-East.
My biggest frustration about Teesside
is…the way this country ignores and tries
to ignore the brilliance that is in this area.
Politicians take heed.
My favourite local charity is…I do a
serious challenge every year for numerous
charities but the one cause that stands out
to me is fighting to find a cure for Motor
Neurone Disease. Whatever I can do in
this life to try to combat this I will.
When I’m not working, I like to spend my
time…with my family – my partner Kirsten
– how she sticks with me is a miracle – my
daughter Erin, my wee boy Paddy and my
spaniel Daisy – the other woman in my life!
My guilty pleasures are…watching all
sports but mainly football, Gaelic, hurling
and horse racing.
The best holiday I ever had was…in the
Cayman Islands.
Not many people know this about me
but…I have never tasted alcohol in my life!
In retirement, I’ll spend my time…in
Ireland with my clan.