Name: Nick Clayton
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Company, city: Jumeirah International; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Number of employees: 14,000
Recent project: In April 2013, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Resort reopened after a six-year redevelopment. This urban resort was carefully redesigned with amenities that serve corporate, group and leisure travelers alike. Our local leadership and team delivered a property we are proud to call the best hotel in Kuwait.
First job: Front desk attendant, Four Seasons Dallas/Fort Worth
Little-known fact about you: I practice Bikram yoga.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: Conduct every relationship with integrity and humility.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Master the fundamentals and invest in innovation where guests are most sensitive to quality and detail.
Yardstick of success: Our measure of success is sustainable growth. As Jumeirah expands from a more boutique brand into a larger global player, successful, consistent growth across new markets will define our achievements.
Nick Clayton as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? My workout gear.
How do you spend your time on board? Handling administrative duties, clearing my inbox and completing paperwork.
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? I enjoy a leisurely lunch outdoors in pleasant weather, watching the world go by. Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills captures that balance—simple, refined and relaxed.
What is your favorite destination in the world? The cities of Italy.
About Jumeirah International
What is the future for Jumeirah? Where do you plan to open your next hotels? We are focused on expanding our distribution and increasing the range of experiences available under the Jumeirah brand. Upcoming openings are planned for Bali, Bangkok, China, Mumbai and St. Petersburg. In the Middle East and North Africa, we expect new hotels in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Oman and Qatar. We would also welcome opportunities in New York or Los Angeles.
What do your hotels offer business travelers? How do Jumeirah properties stand out among other five-star hotels? Jumeirah provides business travelers with dependable, gracious service. Our colleagues take pride in anticipating guest needs and delivering precise execution. The accumulation of thoughtful, small touches creates memorable stays. Local general managers highlight the character of each destination and weave those distinctions into the guest experience.
We follow a holistic approach: for example, we operate our own food and beverage outlets rather than outsourcing them. We compete on service, product and experience, focusing on repeat guests and delivering personalized room preparations that reflect prior stays and individual preferences. Our goal is to segment and serve customers according to each destination and their expectations.
What is the most challenging aspect of maintaining a competitive edge in the evolving U.A.E. hospitality market? The greatest challenge lies in the people side of the business. As a growing company, we cannot always provide every career path internally. We must recognize that colleagues may pursue opportunities elsewhere to achieve their career goals, and having experience with Jumeirah on their résumé is a meaningful advantage.