A career built on curiosity, connection and saying yes

Kevin Hughes, a 2012 alumnus of International Travel and Tourism Management, has travelled an extraordinary path through the world of hospitality. From his very first job at age 14 to leading three National Trust hotels today, he has worked across the UK, Ireland and the USA gaining insight into all corners of the industry. 

Kevin recently spoke to students at University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s ITT Future You event, sharing these insights and stories.

ITT Future You is a student‑organised conference at UWTSD, delivered by Hospitality, Tourism and Events students for those preparing to enter the industry, connecting them with alumni and industry professionals.

Here, Kevin reflects on his journey, the experiences that shaped him, and the advice he now shares with the next generation entering the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry.

It felt quite surreal returning to Swansea recently to speak at the ITT Future You event because it really doesn’t seem that long ago that I was living there, studying, figuring out life, and trying to imagine what my future might look like. One thing I did know, even back then, was that I absolutely loved hospitality.

My route into this industry wasn’t guided by some grand plan. It actually began on family holidays across Europe. Most kids were excited about beaches, slides or theme parks; but me? I was fascinated by the dining rooms. The atmosphere. The service. The way everything just worked together like a well‑rehearsed performance. 

That was the spark  - even if I didn’t realise it at the time.

My first real step into hospitality came at 14, when my Nan practically begged The Saracen’s Head in Symonds Yat to give me a job. Eventually, they said yes - probably just to keep her happy - and that job changed everything for me. It was loud, chaotic, full of characters… and I absolutely loved it. 

One guest once asked me if the chicken was free range. I replied: “It should be - it ran away twice today.”

They laughed, and I learned something early on: hospitality is about people, connection, and those tiny human moments that stay with you.

My passion took me to study Tourism at college, and then here, to UWTSD’s Swansea campus for International Travel and Tourism Management.

I had such a good time here. I learned so much - genuinely useful theory that gave me a strong understanding of the industry I loved. The lecturers were fantastic: supportive, knowledgeable, and passionate about what they taught. They pushed us, inspired us, and made the content feel real.

But it wasn’t just the academic side.

It was living here, building friendships, growing up a bit, and figuring out who I was and what I wanted. And then, of course, there were the placements - the part of my degree that shaped my career more than anything else.

My first placement was at Lough Eske Castle - a beautiful five‑star Capella hotel in Donegal. Scott, the Food and Beverage Manager (F&B Manager), quickly became a huge influence on me. His humour, kindness, standards and leadership helped shape my path in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time.

This was also my first “small world” moment in hospitality. Years later I ended up working with Scott again at The Founders Inn in Virginia Beach… and then again at Rosewood London. That’s when it truly clicked: hospitality is tiny.
Your reputation travels faster than you do. Relationships matter - even the ones you form as a student.

Then came Colorado - Telluride. A completely different world: mountains, snow, cowboy hats, and a totally different service culture. I travelled with friends from my class. We camped in national parks, including the Grand Canyon. I slept in the car. There were bears. Actual bears. We even did a road trip to Vegas - it took hours and hours in a car.

We didn’t get many days off… so we made the absolute most of them.

And again - another full‑circle moment. A neighbouring hotel General Manager (GM) in Telluride, Richard, became my GM years later at Raithwaite Estate in North Yorkshire. At the time I had no idea. But there he was, interviewing me.

That’s hospitality: full circle, every time.

This is where I stress something important:

Make the most of your placements.

Work in as many departments as you can. Travel. Explore. Experience everything.

Placements shaped my career more than I can explain.

I graduated in 2012 with First Class Honours - proud, and absolutely certain that hotels were where I wanted to be.

Raithwaite was where I saw real growth and things got real. I learned how to manage a team, coach people, set standards - and taste wine properly. Less glamorous when you’re doing it at 7am, but essential!

The Founders Inn in Virginia Beach was my First US Job. This wasn’t a placement - this was my first proper US job, and Scott was my F&B Director again. I learned how to write wine lists, plan menus, and run events for more than 900 guests. Chaotic, hectic, and incredibly fun. It cemented my love for leadership and operations.

Back in the UK, I became Restaurant Manager at Hand Picked Hotels. Those two years were graft - real graft. Payroll, Gross Profit management, staffing, cost control… all the operational fundamentals. Hard work, but it shaped me.

Then Scott called again.

I joined him at Rosewood London - ultra luxury, fine dining, and extremely famous guests daily. Here I learned the “London way”: precision, speed, standards, discretion… and how to operate at the very highest level.

Next came Hartwell House. I joined as Restaurant Manager, moved to F&B Manager, and in 2021 became General Manager of a five‑star, Grade I listed hotel.

Grade I buildings are magical… and moody.

Maintenance once told me a guest’s window wouldn’t open because:

“It’s older than America, Kevin, and today it’s not in the mood.”

That’s heritage hospitality - and I loved it.

In January 2024, I became Director of Operations for:

• Hartwell House
• Middlethorpe Hall
• Bodysgallen Hall

Historic House Hotels is unique: part of the National Trust, part of PoB Hotels, and part of Condé Nast Johansens. True British country house hotels - and there aren’t many left. It’s a privilege to help lead these remarkable places.

You don’t need to know exactly where you’re going yet. What matters is that you:

• stay curious
• be open
• take opportunities
• travel
• build relationships
• work hard
• stay humble
• say yes

Because one day, you’ll look back and realise every shift, every placement, every late night and early morning was shaping you for something bigger.

From a 14‑year‑old whose Nan begged for him to be given a job… to a student here in Swansea… to leading operations for three National Trust hotels…

If I can build a career I love, starting where I started - so can you.

Further Information

Mared Anthony

Communications and PR Officer: Alumni Relations   
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: mared.anthony@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: +447482256996