Born in Britain, Georgette Davey holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from University of East Anglia and a Postgraduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management from Sheffield Hallam University. She spent eight years working at University Campus Suffolk, becoming a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism. She joined Les Roches in 2001, as a professor of Human Resource Management in the BBA program. Furthermore, Georgette was instrumental in developing courses for the Les Roches Jin Jiang campus, located in Shanghai, China. She joined Glion in 2009, working as Postgraduate Programme Leader and subsequently Dean of the Glion campus, before re-joining the institution in 2013 to launch Glion London. Appointed Managing Director, Glion Institute of Higher Education in 2017, talks to Vendom.jobs about hospitality education post-Covid. Glion Institute of Higher Education’s digital approach adopted over the past year will enable it to stay agile and flexible in any further circumstances.
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Vendom. Jobs - Why and how did you choose a career in hospitality and tourism education?
Georgette Davey - Completing my qualifications in Hospitality Management and working in the Industry both in the UK, Australia and Greece – on returning to the UK and working in boutique luxury hotels I wanted to provide opportunities for Internships for students enrolled in Hospitality Management degrees. After just one semester, I was working full time as a Hotel Manager and 1 evening a week at the local University – sharing my passion for the industry with the students – in less than 2 years I was full-time at the University delivering courses to the future leaders of tomorrow. In 2001, I took the decision to come to Switzerland the birthplace of hospitality education – the rest as they say is history!
V.J. - Could you tell us about your role at Glion Institute of Higher Education?
G. D. - As Managing Director of Glion, I am proud to work with the students, faculty and teams of this historic and outstanding school. Assisting so many students to achieve their potential and go on to be great leaders within the Luxury and Hospitality businesses around the globe. Meeting our students and their parents on arrivals' day, seeing them grow and develop into professionals over the duration of their studies, to celebrating their outstanding success at graduation and going on to hear about their growing careers is humbling. Our personalised approach in a boutique hotel school enables our students to experience excellence and be successful and passionate in their futures.
V. J. - During your career, have you met people who have inspired you in terms of pedagogy, leadership, entrepreneurship etc who have forged your vision of the profession?
G. D. - As a student of a hotel school myself – the head of the hotel school, knew every student, had time for each student and operated an open door policy – his passion for the student experience has always been with me. Allow everyone to reach their potential!
V.J. - Could you tell us about the arrangements put into place at Glion over the past year to continue teaching? What was the feedback from the students and the lecturers?
G. D. - Our priority was the health, safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty and teams and our pledge to support them in the continuation of their studies and complete their degrees in the original timeframes. We switch our teaching into a HyFlex approach, installed all the necessary technology in our classrooms to support our students learning journeys with the outstanding support of the faculty. Remaining agile and flexible we have been able to continue with our students academic programs throughout the past year. Our faculty have been excellent, their passion to continue sharing their knowledge, insights and wisdom with our students wherever they are located in the world. All of our teams have developed additional skills in operating in teams on-line. Our Student Affairs teams have been providing support remotely and creating events for the student to participate in. Our students and faculty have worked together to continue their studies successfully. The skills our students have honed in agility and flexibility will provide them a strong foundation for the future.
V.J. - Do you intend to instil some of these solutions and eventually develop more?
G. D. - We have all learnt so much throughout the last year – agility, flexibility and passion to achieve.
V.J.- What do you think will be the new recruitment problems in high-end hotels and restaurants?
G. D. - With many excellent and outstanding team members being in the talent pool seeking – high-end hotels and restaurants will need to consider the packages, benefits and career opportunities for their Talent managers to attract and retain the best.
V.J. - We are experiencing a period in which the service and contact trades are irreparably damage. What you advise someone who wants to devote themselves to this industry?
G. D. - The industry has in the past reinvented, returned and revived. With the pent-up demand for exceptional experiences, luxury experiences and personalised experiences. I would personally advise those passionate for providing service and luxury experiences – there could be no better time to join an industry that will return with a world of opportunities.
V.J. - If you were to devise a motto for Glion, what would it be?
G. D. - Glion Experience Excellence, passion and personalised academic programs – Lead yourself into the future!
(Photo credit: Glion Institute of Higher Education)
