Acorns 2020: Oliver Palmer, 28

Global luxury account director – leisure, Marriott International, London

Nominator Laura Deakin

Starting his career with Marriott as an intern in 2012, Oliver Palmer has achieved meteoric growth through a solid work ethic, contagious positivity and determination to succeed. As global luxury account director, he is responsible for 45 strategic accounts in Marriott’s luxury portfolio globally that bring in just shy of $40m (£30m) a year. In the global sales organisation he is seen as the UK luxury leisure specialist and provides strategic direction to more than 450 hotels.

From June 2017 to January 2019, he sat on the board of directors for the GB chapter of the Society of Incentive Travel Excellence, helping to launch a young leaders’ programme by creating educational content, networking opportunities and one-on-one support for those entering the incentive travel industry.

With his goal set on becoming a director of sales and marketing within luxury hotels, his ability to master new disciplines will stand him in good stead for his next promotion.

In view of the recent time spent locked out of hospitality, what did you miss the most?

I truly missed being on the road visiting my customers up and down the UK, showcasing all the hotels I represent. I couldn’t wait to get back to travelling to the hotel teams.

Do you think the hospitality industry could be more sustainable? Not just in terms of plastics and waste but in terms of careers and diversity, training, and growth?

Before coronavirus, the hospitality industry was making great progress to reduce single-use plastic waste by finding alternative solutions, I hope we can regain this momentum after the pandemic.

Who is your hospitality hero?

Bill Marriott, the executive chairman and chairman of the board of Marriott International. Since my days at university I have been an admirer of how he has cultivated a people culture and placed it at the heart of the business.