Eton Collection
Managing director Peter Tyrie
On merging operations following the JWW takeover
"I always thought older people were stuck in their ways. However, I now realise young people can be just as stubborn. In short, people don't like change."
On training
"I take pride in recruiting staff and seeing them develop. Even if we are, as an industry, training people for other businesses, I don't think that's a bad thing. If they deliver two or three years of great service for us and enjoy the job, why shouldn't they then go on to bigger and better things?"
On going green
"If a customer is paying £300 to £500, they expect to be pampered, which doesn't always go hand in hand with sustainability. But we can become greener as a sector."
What is it?
Private equity-backed luxury boutique hotel owner Eton Collection was taken over by JJW Luxury Collection, part of the MBI International group, in August of this year in a £70m deal. The new collection has 15 hotels at the top end of the scale, with eight in the UK. Prize properties include Threadneedles in the City of London the Glasshouse in Edinburgh the Scotsman, also in Edinburgh and Berners hotel in London.
Main rivals/most admired
Four Seasons, Campbell Gray Hotels, Firmdale and Malmaison/Hotel du Vin.
Future plans
Tyrie has concentrated on the enlarged group's UK properties this year, with refurbishments under way at the Scotsman, 42 The Calls in Leeds and Berners. Next year he will turn his attention to Europe - this will probably see hotels such as Le Tremolie in Paris and Grand Hotel Wein in Vienna marketed under a new collection name, although this will not be Eton. Ultimately, the new entity could double in size, with a first property in North America on the cards.
Vital statistics
15 hotels, currently operating in the four- to five-star category. Eton Collection has about 1,000 staff and its 2006 turnover was £14.8m. Tyrie is currently overseeing the new collection in the UK and shaping the luxury group for Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber, owner of MBI International. There are two other properties in development, and Tyrie plans to strengthen his senior management team.
By Chris Druce
