In the High Flyers spotlight this week of Darrell O’Hanlon, restaurant manager at Belfast's Malone Hotel.
What was your first job?
Caldwell’s Tyre Factory in my home town Strabane. A few days into my summer holiday and it was announced to me that I was starting work the next day. Devastated…but haven’t looked back since!
What qualifications do you have?
Bachelor’s degree in communication and advertising. Money well spent…
What do you attribute your success to?
Leaving my pride and ego at the door and learning from everyone and anyone I can. I never measure my success against the success of others, blazing your own trail is so much more fun.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
An all-round nice guy, always willing to help, listen and support. Then I’d tell them what I really think!
Who do you look up to in business?
There has always been one or two people in every establishment that I have worked in that I have looked up to and who have shaped the person I am today. Without these people and the effort, they put in with me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
Firm but fair. Never ask anyone to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself and despite the wording in the question, nobody works for me, everybody works with me.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
Very little really, the ups and downs of a place is what makes it special. If I started changing things, then it wouldn’t be like home!
What website or app could you not do without?
Honestly, take them all, I’m a simple soul.
What was the last book you read?
Shadow of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
What car do you drive?
A Ferrari F50 that looks suspiciously like a red Seat Ibiza. Nickname “Right Red Fred”.
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I jumped out of a plane over the Great Barrier Reef and I’m a mean operator with a karaoke mic in my hand!
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
Travel. For all my years at school and university travel is the best education I’ve had. Good for the mind, body, and soul.
