#211 - Hospitality Meets Barry Dawson - Bots and Balances, the Future of Hotel Finance

This week I sat down with one of my oldest clients and friends, Barry Dawson, the Senior Vice President of Finance at Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA, to explore the intriguing world of finance in the hospitality industry. Amidst the humour and light-hearted banter, they uncover some serious gems about how technology and automation are revolutionising hospitality and finance.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

An Unexpected Journey:

• Discover how Barry stumbled into the world of finance during a university placement, proving that sometimes the best career paths are the ones we don't plan.
• The tale of how covering for a sick colleague led Barry to a fulfilling career in hospitality finance.

Tech Integration with a Dash of Humour:

• The fascinating role of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in transforming finance operations, sprinkled with Barry's entertaining anecdotes.
• How Aimbridge's finance team went from managing a couple of hundred statements to around 10-12,000, like financial superheroes on a caffeine high!

Leadership Lessons and Chuckles:

• Barry’s reflections on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of being open to new opportunities—served with a side of humour.
• Stories about the larger-than-life characters he’s encountered in his journey, and how the dynamic has changed over time.

Adapting to Global Crises:

• Insights into navigating business challenges during the credit crunch and COVID-19, while keeping morale high with a bit of laughter.
• Barry’s perspective on the importance of resilience, leadership, and humour, especially during tough times.

Finance Roles in Stereovision:

• Barry demystifies the perception of finance being dull, highlighting the charm and character within the field.
• Amusing comparisons between finance roles and iconic scenes from "Toy Story," bringing a quirky spin to otherwise mundane tasks.

Barry’s Pessimistic Optimism:

• A candid look at Barry’s unique approach to pessimism: starting from the worst-case scenario and being pleasantly surprised by positive outcomes.
• The importance of thoroughness and detail in finance, with humorous stories about past mistakes and lessons learned.

The Future of Hospitality Finance:

• A look at how technology will continue to shape hospitality finance roles, making them more dynamic and engaging.
• Phil and Barry's predictions on the evolving work-life balance within the industry post-COVID-19

Tune in to hear Phil and Barry's engaging conversation that's sure to leave you with a smile and newfound respect for the unsung heroes of hospitality finance.

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The Guest

Barry Dawson is the Senior Vice President of Finance for Aimbridge Hospitality. My role is responsible for the Corporate finance function of Aimbridge as well as overall responsibility for the hotel finance function and business performance

https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-dawson-27bba53/

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