Australian national Greg Liddell has been in the luxury hospitality industry for over 25 years – 14 of which have been spent with Mandarin Oriental where he was recently appointed General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and Area Vice President, Operations overseeing Mandarin Oriental, Macau and Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo.
Here, Liddell shares an insight into his career in hospitality, ambitions for the future, and his advice for those starting out.
How did you get started in the hotel industry?
Hospitality industry truly fascinates me, I get to meet the best people from all around the world in one place. Hotels are like theatres; every day is meticulously crafted and each and every member of the team play equal parts to ensure that all guests are entertained and left with everlasting memories. To have the opportunity to curate an experience or create someone’s fond memories is truly a privilege, and to welcome them back again is just extraordinary.
Tell us about your early career journey.
I spent my early years working in Asia in luxury resorts. Service in Asia is simply spelled in capital letters – it is in the DNA. The service imbued in Asian hospitality reflects that family-oriented approach which is deeply rooted in the culture. All visitors are being treated like they are in their own home; it is genuinely from the heart. Ever since, I have never changed an industry.
Your career has taken you all over the world – what have been some of your favourite places to visit/work?
I have worked in six properties at Mandarin Oriental, and they are all very unique. As Area Vice President, Operations I also oversee a portfolio of properties in the region. Barcelona is a juxtaposition of art and culture from vibrant street arts to medieval architecture where tradition and modernism collide. Hong Kong is one of the world’s best cities for gastronomic adventures. My most recent years at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok and Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid are the ones with walls that can talk, with over a century worth of history behind them.
What stands out as a career highlight?
The last few years was unprecedented for all of us however the return to normalcy to our industry is with us. We live in a time of rapid changes, resilience is the ability to face challenges, overcome them and take advantage of the situation to come out stronger with new learning. I am incredibly proud of the team during those times of uncertainty, they have done a phenomenon job and flourished amidst change and enable to succeed. It is truly our people within the organisation that have always been the highlight – the most rewarding aspect of my career.
Who has inspired or mentored you along the way?
I have been very fortunate for having worked for a great company with incredible leaders and fantastic teams all of whom have played their parts and inspired me to become better every day. Even in your dream job, every day may not be full of rainbows and sunshine, but it will be boring if every day was the same. Having the same passion and shared values are the instrumental part to success, teamwork makes the dream work. There is an enormous power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work towards the same goals.
You’ve just been appointed GM at MO Hong Kong. What are your ambitions for this role?
I am incredibly delighted to return to Hong Kong especially here at the iconic flagship property of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group where it all began. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong was opened in 1963 and will be celebrating our milestone 60th Anniversary this year. The hotel has a unique place in the hearts of Hong Kong residents and many of the regular visitors from all around the world and is a much-loved address – the ‘home away from home’ in the beating heart of Central Hong Kong.
Our mission is to delight and inspire every guest at every opportunity possible. Our team here has been delivering exceptional 60 fantastic years of going above and beyond and we will continue to excel our legacy of tradition, innovation, and excellence – inspiring our world of fans for generations to come.
Any advice for young people in the industry with ambitions to be a GM?
Follow your passion, become the best version of yourself every day – and never say no.