Graeme Gibson and Chris Rouse Scholars Benefit from Coaching

Our Chris Rouse Scholarship was established in 2019 and is awarded to someone working in the Ayrshire area who is keen to provide the same level of service he was known for. 2023 saw our first Graeme Gibson Scholarship, awarded to someone from the Greater Glasgow area who is an emerging Young Manager who shows great potential for the future within the industry.

The winners of these special awards receive some executive coaching, in addition to their HIT Scotland scholarship, to help them work on their personal and career development.

Big thank you to Claire Steven The Hotel Coach, a former HIT Scotland scholar, for running the coaching sessions with our winners. These were tailored to their own needs, to maximise their impact and performance, looking at areas of improvement to help them be the best version of themself, and excel within their roles in hospitality. Here’s what our 2023 winners had to say.

Graeme Walker, Director of Sales & Marketing, Clayton Hotel Glasgow City said:

“I recently had the privilege of participating in the Graeme Gibson Scholarship receiving Executive Coaching with Claire, and I cannot thank HIT Scotland enough for this opportunity. I can confidently say that it has been a transformative experience for both my personal and professional growth.

“From the very beginning, the course was expertly designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of leadership principles and practices. Claire was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about helping to unlock my potential. One of the standout aspects of the coaching for me was its practicality. Claire didn't just focus on theoretical concepts but we worked through my own real-world scenarios and challenges to tackle between sessions. This approach significantly built my confidence, understanding of my development areas and allowed me to see my progress quickly.

“Our sessions also emphasised the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in effective leadership. I gained valuable insights into my own strengths and weaknesses, enabling me to work on areas that needed improvement and Claire was a great coach using her experience and coaching techniques to help guide me to answers. The self-reflection or ‘homework’ from each session has had a profound impact on my leadership style and how I interact with colleagues and team members.

“I am taking some time to put what we have worked on into practice, however I very much look forward to arranging a block with Claire again in the future as she brings real benefit and value helping to bring out the best version of my work and home life self.”

Claire said:

“As a previous beneficiary of a HIT Scholarship, it was an honour to be able to offer coaching as part of the scholarship programme.

“From the outset, Graeme approached the program with a remarkable sense of dedication and openness. Despite already possessing a wealth of knowledge and experience in hospitality, Graeme embraced the opportunity to further develop his skills and refine his approach.

“One of the most rewarding aspects, for me as a coach, was seeing Graeme’s determination to apply what he was learning in real-world scenarios. Graeme didn't just passively absorb information – he actively sought out opportunities to implement new techniques and strategies with his team and colleagues.

“Graeme's journey through the coaching program was a testament to the power of continuous learning and growth. He approached the experience with humility, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, and I’m delighted that I had the opportunity to work with Graeme and I look forward supporting others in the future.”

Natalaigh Taylor, who at the time was Marketing Manager at Trump Turnberry said:

“My experience with Claire - The Hotel Coach was incredibly valuable to both navigating my current role as well as my professional development. Through a series of valuable sessions, Claire helped me identify areas of opportunity and taught me skills to combat challenges and confrontational situations. One of the most memorable lessons was a session on values, in which we identified my top 10 values and aligned them to my current position and set goals, I think of this most days.

“I am in awe of her ability to offer such incredible advice on the spot, without any idea what direction the conversation will flow. I will continue to reach out to Claire throughout my professional development and would highly recommend anyone starting a new position, facing challenges, impostor syndrome or hoping to increase their confidence in the workplace to reach out to her!”

Our 2024 Graeme Gibson and Chris Rouse scholars have this to look forward to!

HIT Scotland scholarships open in September for application - tell us what you need to develop for your career in Scottish hospitality

HIT Scotland Scholarships

For more information about The Hotel Coach, get in touch with Claire at The Hotel Coach