IN THE SPOTLIGHT this week is Lauren Coughlan, director of food & beverage at Belfast's Fitzwilliam Hotel
What was your first job?
It was within hospitality, working in an Irish bar in Spain. The owner was a retired German soldier who was nicknamed Paddy by the locals. He ran the bar with military precision, and everything was always just right. The bar was tiny but so popular, people queued down the street every night to come in. The experience of working there taught me the meaning of Irish hospitality and how to really take care of your guests.
What qualifications do you have?
I was two years into a teaching degree when it dawned on me that I was studying the wrong profession. I was excelling in my hospitality job and really enjoying it, so I decided to follow my heart and give up on the idea of teaching. It felt like a bit of a gamble at the time (and my parents were terrified!) but thankfully it paid off.
What do you attribute your success to?
Resilience and hard work. It’s no secret that hospitality is fast-moving, challenging, and unpredictable at times. No two days are the same, which is the beauty of it – but it means that you need to be flexible and dynamic, and able to cope under pressure. My mum and dad taught me to have a strong work ethic, and they have always been hugely supportive of my career.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
I am energetic, motivated and sociable, and I enjoy meeting people and working as part of a large team. I'm also quite fussy, honest, and a bit of a perfectionist. Everything needs to look, sound, and feel right, though in my personal life, I am more laid-back. My work persona and my ‘at home’ persona means I am the Ying to my own Yang!
Who do you look up to in business?
II look up to our hotel’s general manager Cian Landers. I worked for Cian years ago as a glass collector, and with his guidance and support I ended up working my way up to the position of beverage manager. Seven years later I'm back working with Cian again as director of food & beverage. He is a wizard with numbers, honest and transparent, and he shows true leadership with his actions rather than just words.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
It’s important you get to know your team, give regular feedback, celebrate the good times, and quickly move on from the tough times! Teamwork makes the dream work as they say, and I'm a firm believer that appreciation and encouragement go a long way.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
We are lucky here to have people like Janice Gault at the NI Hotels Federation and Colin Neil at Hospitality Ulster, who have moved mountains for our industry, so the reform of Stormont could only further strengthen our corner.
What website or app could you not do without?
I couldn’t manage without Revinate, which is a tool we use daily for all guest feedback.
What was the last book you read?
Breaking Point by Edel Coffey. It’s a great story and a real page turner.
What car do you drive?
Luckily for other road users, I’m the fourth generation of Coughlan women not to drive!
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I grew up in Spain and went to a Spanish school ran by nuns. I speak Spanish, which naturally gets better after a few drinks!
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
My dogs. I have a 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier called Miguel and a one year old Cocker Spaniel called Lilah. Walking them is my way of de-stressing.
