Xpat Interview: Adrian Christopher Ellis
- 3 Aug 2006 12:00 PM
Adrian Christopher Ellis, General Manager at the Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal, was born on the 8th of August in 1963. He is married, and his interests outside work include tennis, football, skiing, golf, travel, theatre, yoga. Amongst his varied professional awards and educational achievements he holds the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Diploma in Training Management - gained with Distinction - and he is currently completing an MBA in Hospitality Management at the Oxford Brookes University.
He started his career as Trainee Manager at the Holiday Inn, Glasgow and at Marble Arch in London where he worked in Cost Control, Reception, Housekeeping, Banqueting and Restaurants. He was promoted in early 1986 to Assistant Food and Beverage Manager at the Holiday Inn in Newcastle, and was responsible for the day-to-day management of F & B operations, experience which has stood him in good stead for all his career success since then.
Before arriving in Budapest he was the General Manager at Le Royal Meridien Bristol Warsaw, Poland. This two hundred and five bedroom property is considered Poland's top hotel and is a member of Leading hotels of the World. In November 2003 the hotel received the prestigious 5 Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and was voted as one of the top 100 Hotels worldwide by Conde Nast Traveller (Gold List) in 2004.
1. When did you arrive to Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in Nov 2005 and I was headhunted for this position
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes, I worked in Warsaw and Singapore prior to moving here.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The beauty of the city and the countryside in Hungary and the warm welcome I received.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
The Spa's for me are so unique and make a very special day out..
5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
Paprika sauce with anything !!!!
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Champagne
7. What is your favorite Hungarian word?
Jó reggelt
8. What do you miss the most from home?
Sunday Times newspaper
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Travel correspondent
10. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
Prime Minister
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Sorrento in Italy
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Vancouver and the Rockies
13 What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
The Jam (band)
14. What can’t you resist?
Chocolate
15. Red wine or white?
Red
16. Book or movie?
Movie
17. Morning person or night person?
Morning
18. Dog person or cat person?
Dog
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Definately Pest
20.What would you say is your personal motto?
Think Positive
Before arriving in Budapest he was the General Manager at Le Royal Meridien Bristol Warsaw, Poland. This two hundred and five bedroom property is considered Poland's top hotel and is a member of Leading hotels of the World. In November 2003 the hotel received the prestigious 5 Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and was voted as one of the top 100 Hotels worldwide by Conde Nast Traveller (Gold List) in 2004.
1. When did you arrive to Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in Nov 2005 and I was headhunted for this position
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes, I worked in Warsaw and Singapore prior to moving here.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The beauty of the city and the countryside in Hungary and the warm welcome I received.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
The Spa's for me are so unique and make a very special day out..
5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
Paprika sauce with anything !!!!
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Champagne
7. What is your favorite Hungarian word?
Jó reggelt
8. What do you miss the most from home?
Sunday Times newspaper
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Travel correspondent
10. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
Prime Minister
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Sorrento in Italy
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Vancouver and the Rockies
13 What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
The Jam (band)
14. What can’t you resist?
Chocolate
15. Red wine or white?
Red
16. Book or movie?
Movie
17. Morning person or night person?
Morning
18. Dog person or cat person?
Dog
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Definately Pest
20.What would you say is your personal motto?
Think Positive