News / Client interviews / Stephen Carter - Managing Director, Cameron House, De Vere Deluxe, Scotland

Stephen Carter - Managing Director, Cameron House, De Vere Deluxe, Scotland

Cameron House is a magnificent baronial mansion surrounded by over 100 acres of ancient woodland on the shores of Loch Lomond. It has undergone a substantial refurbishment in the last two years and now blends traditional Scottish influences with sumptuous contemporary décor offering our guests a memorable stay in the finest surroundings set within some spectacular landscapes. The House is now supplemented with a championship golf course and destination spa at The Carrick, a further 300 acres adjacent to the main Estate.

2. How did you become the Manager Director there?

The Resort is part of the De Vere collection of hotels and resorts now owned by the Alternative Hotel Group. I joined the company when AHG bought the group just over 3 years ago and after spending fifteen months in an area role I took up my position at Cameron House to finalise the refurbishment and re-position the hotel into Scotland’s leading five star resort.

3. What was your first job ever?

My first ever job was as a commis waiter at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Southport in my vacations from University of Surrey where I took a degree in Hotel Administration. I remember being given twenty teaspoons on day one of my working and being told that I had to hand thirty teaspoons back to the restaurant manager if I was to be paid my share of the tronc on the day I finished (some things never change in hotels!).

4. What advice would you give to people aspiring to work in Hospitality?

Be prepared to work hard, set yourself goals and take the staircase to the top (one or two steps at a time) because there isn’t a lift. Above all, remember that if you enjoy the work you do you will never have to do a days work in your life.

I can only say I have found the hospitality industry a greatly rewarding one to work in and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys working in it. If you don’t enjoy it get out as fast as possible!

5. What are the key characteristics that you look for in the people you bring on board?

I look for a positive, can do attitude and an ability to get on with people, “a glass half full” type of person with a genuine desire to want “to make someone’s day”. A ready smile and a focused mind always helps.

6. Could you share some of your life lessons with us?

Always be short on promises and long on delivery. It delights customers and builds confidence with colleagues and business parties.

You always get the behaviour you expect from people. When you make a judgement about someone, their behaviour will always appear to support your judgement so try to see people you have a problem with in a different light and watch your attitude to them change.

Learn to manage peoples’ behaviour not the person, it is more effective and it is their behaviour that’s a problem sometimes and not the person.

7. What are you reading at the moment?

I have just finished reading a book by someone who lives in the same East Neuk of Fife village that I live in. The book was published last year. It is called “Turning Points” by Julia Ogilvy and is a collection of real life story stories of people whose lives have been changed forever by some unusual event in which they have become involved through no design of their own.

8. What is the importance you place on learning and development?

Learning and development are critical in order to enjoy life in total as well as essential in your career. Learning has got to be the best motivational tool in the box. When you learn and develop, your confidence grows and allows you to push out more, you feel good about yourself and you grow mentally and in stature. The more you see yourself growing the more self motivated you become and remember, “when you stop getting better you stop being good”.

9. What is your philosophy on leadership/ recipe for success?

I believe a leader has to have five traits. VISION and the ability to share that vision with everyone in the organisation. CULTURE, the leader has to create the right culture and environment for everyone to work productively. Good leaders are always TRUTHFUL and do not mislead and they have to have the ability to MOTIVATE. Finally they have to have PASSION for their work and their Vision.

And last but not least…

10. I heard you’re a bit of a learnpurple / talent toolbox fan. What do you think about us coming to Scotland?

It is great that Learnpurple is coming to Scotland. They already have a lot of fans north of the border and members of their team are well known for their frequent visits. Having an office now in Edinburgh shows an ongoing commitment to their learning and development role and of course Learnpurple can be considered to be coming home to the Land of Purple Heather! Failte.

30 March 2010