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| Sunday, 30 November 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Rohan Karr : A career in hospitality
Family Karr was born as the youngest son to a family of four children - two boys and two girls. His father was attached to the Post Master General's Office in Colombo while his mother was a housewife who looked after the home and children with love and care. Education He was educated at St John's College, Jaffna and St Michael's College, Batticaloa where he did his Advanced Level examination in Commerce subjects. Career "I started working at Hatton National Bank and moved to its travel department in 1982. I wanted to follow banking exams to pursue a career in banking, therefore I went to the UK. I had to do a number of jobs to keep me going. I worked at hotels and bakeries from where I got an initial taste of the hospitality industry," Karr recalled. Deviation He liked the hotel trade and has worked in every single department from the kitchen to housekeeping, banquet, sales, accounts and reception. He has followed a course in hotel and catering management and today is a member of the HCIMA. He is also armed with a Masters Degree in Hospitality and Business Management from the Thames Valley University in London. "I lectured on Revenue Management at the Thames Valley University under a programme known as 'Professionals working in the community'. During this time, I also got an opportunity to work in places such as Scotland, Wales and London. "In 1991, a survey conducted by the Equal Opportunity Governing Body in London found that I was the only Asian manager in London's hospitality industry. I was overjoyed and happy when they informed me about this. I was used to encouraging other Asians to join the hospitality trade which was dominated by Europeans," he said. General Manager "Lady Luck came my way again in the form of a General Manager post when I was appointed General Manager of the Bristol Marriot in 1997". For Karr, there has been no turning back since then with two General Manager positions being offered in London one after the other. "I was also the GM at Marble Arch Central London, which was considered as a dream come true by many," he said. Training "I received the best training at the best hotel groups in the world. I have gained a lot about which I am happy and proud. Now it is time for me to share it with my colleagues at Colombo Plaza," said Karr, who has worked in the UK for 20 years for the Marriot Group as well as Holiday Inn. Future Plans "I want to achieve two things - one is to get the best returns for the capital invested by John Keells Holdings and make Colombo Plaza the best five-star hotel in Colombo. "The people who will judge the quality of the hotel include shareholders, customers and associates (staffers). "The JKH Group has planned an investment of US$ 12 million next year. We are planning to refurbish all 550 bedrooms and add another four or five restaurants to give a wide range of food for our guests," he said. Staff "Most of all, I want to do a lot towards training our managers and associates. They have been neglected for a long time; therefore they need to be coached, guided, loved and cared for so that they feel appreciated and in return, will look after the guests as they look after their own kith and kin, with love and affection. As we are dealing with humans, we have to be people-centred at all times which will no doubt make us the best hotel in Colombo," Karr said. Advice "You can, if you think you can. Do not settle for the second best and believe in yourself. Trust in God and do your best and the rest will follow. Treat others the way you like to be treated". (SG) Fact File |
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News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
God's love and blessings, hard work, determination and not taking no
for an answer are the pillars of success for Rohan Karr, the newly
appointed General Manager of the Colombo Plaza.
