Peter Avis

Peter Avis is a multi-award-winning General Manager and customer service consultant with over 25 years’ international experience in the hospitality sector. In a career that has seen him launch high-end restaurants and some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, Peter’s rise through the hospitality industry, from dishwasher to 2009 winner of the UK Restaurant Manager of the Year, epitomizes the power of hard work and humility, along with a continued pursuit for exceptional quality and high standards.

For over 15 years Peter played an integral role in the Virgin Group, working closely with Sir Richard Branson on projects including managing the renowned London Roof Gardens and launching Virgin Limited Edition hotels such as the Mont Rochelle Hotel and Restaurant in South Africa and the Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco. Peter was also on hand to personally supervise the wedding of Sir Richard’s daughter on Necker Island. Peter was recently appointed as General Manager of Galvin at Windows, at the London Hilton Park Lane.

Born in Liverpool and brought up on a council estate, Peter left school at 16 with an uncertain future. Whilst visiting his sister in Miami, he took his first job as a dishwasher. With an attitude that shone as brightly as the plates he meticulously polished, he was quickly relocated to the restaurant floor where he displayed natural people skills and a flair for business.

The ensuing years at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and the Royal Garden Hotel in London taught Peter the importance of training, communication, service and consistency. Hungry to pursue his ambitions, he eventually gained an assistant manager position at a private restaurant in Knightsbridge, London.

Peter's keynote speaking topics include:

Creating award-winning Customer Service

During a 25-year career, Peter has seen first-hand, from the bottom up, what is required to deliver and maintain the highest standards of customer service and care. Peter considers and discusses the skills and requirements to create and manage a memorable experience and how to deal with inevitable difficulties and pitfalls along the way.

Delivering on your promise

Any business needs to keep customers and clients happy. In the hospitality industry this also means keeping your customers engaged. Peter identifies the key factors required to ensure that you and your business delivers on its promise.

Employee Engagement and how to ensure your employees perform at the highest level.

Engaged employees perform at a higher level and bring passion and interest to their job. Peter identifies the key drivers of experience, productivity and engagement so companies can act in real-time to drive changes in the workplace.

How to succeed in the hospitality sector

From a dishwasher in a restaurant in Miami to receiving the award of UK Restaurant Manager of Year, Peter has seen all the necessary tools, including commercial requirements, to succeed. He discusses what he has learnt and how this can help shape your business both internally and externally.