Virgin Limited Edition
To celebrate International Women's Day, we asked some of our leading ladies at each Virgin Limited Edition property to tell us a little about themselves, and about their career paths so far...
Janet Hoolohan, Group Sales and Marketing Director
A Northerner at heart, I've spent my entire career working in Sales and Marketing within the luxury travel sector. Past roles include sales within UK and Scandinavia for The Leading Hotels of the World, as Director of Sales for the Orient-Express (trains and hotels); Director of Sales and Marketing for The Ritz London, managing the S&M team during the refurbishment and rebranding of what was then the Hyde Park Hotel when Director of Sales and Marketing for Mandarin Oriental, London. I stepped away from working on property for a marketing and sales consultancy role for 6 years with clients such as the Plaza Athenée in New York, Boca Resorts in the US, Serena Game Lodges and Hotels in Kenya and Tanzania and Harbour Plaza Hotels in Hong Kong before a complete change of scene and working for award winning chef Anton Mosimann’s private members club and external party catering company before returning to hotels and joining VLE 13 years ago.
Who is your female role model?
My mum!
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
' You are only as strong as your weakest link' - this relates to team dynamics and to not feel threatened or shy away from employing or encouraging the strongest, most highly qualified candidates you can, as collectively the combination of skills will only improve the overall team performance.
What advice would you give to young woman in the hospitality industry today?
Go for it! Believe in yourself and the hard work will pay off (as said by my mum!). Believe there are no limitations in your mind and that anything is possible.