In our next Getting to Know You feature, we talk to Paolo Franchi – one of our general managers at Interstate Europe Hotels & Resorts.

Tell us about your role and what it involves?

I’m a general manager (GM) with Interstate Europe Hotels & Resorts. I ran the Hampton by Hilton in Newcastle until recently, and then I was offered the opportunity to move south to oversee the opening of an exciting new Hampton by Hilton hotel at Stansted Airport this summer.

My role involves numerous different tasks, from recruiting the right people for the hotel team, to making sure our guests have the very best experience with us and, in turn, ensuring the hotel is a success – both financially and in terms of the hotel’s place within the market – so our owners achieve a great return on investment.

What does a typical day in your role involve?

There’s no such thing as a typical day in the life of a GM, especially when you’re in the process of opening a new hotel!

At the moment, I’m busy working to ensure all the finishing touches are in place at Stansted, so when we open our doors this summer, everything is perfect for our guests.

What’s your favourite part of your role?

The variety. In the hotel industry, particularly in my role, every day is so different. You just don’t know what each day will bring and it’s my job to deal with whatever situations or challenges arise, in a quick and efficient manner.

Also, the people, I get to meet so many interesting people from across the world in my job and I love providing them with a warm welcome and a great stay when they come to our hotel.

What, in your opinion, makes Interstate stand out from the crowd?

As a general manager, it’s fantastic to be part of a network of talented, experienced hotel professionals who are always on hand to support and step in where required.

For example, if we need a member of staff with a certain skill set, Interstate can always provide us with the right person to meet our needs.

Ultimately, this means our guests benefit from the great service we provide and our owners benefit too, as great service means more bookings!

Paolo is set to open the new Hampton by Hilton Stansted Airport in summer 2017.