20 QUESTIONS
Dylan Matthews, chief executive, The Celtic Manor Resort
1. How did you get into your current job? As most people know, my dad’s the owner of The Celtic Manor Resort and I started working here as the manager of the Health Club when we opened the first golf clubhouse. I got to experience other areas of the resort and took over as chief executive, alongside a new chief financial officer, in 2003.
2. What’s the best bit about it? No day is ever the same. When you work in a resort as big as this, with all the different facilities and with the number of big events we hold, there is always plenty of variety in this job.
3. What was your first Saturday job? I used to spend summer holidays helping out in my dad’s electronic companies.
4. Describe your ideal job? It would definitely be something in sport and I’m lucky to have plenty of sporting interest here at Celtic Manor.
5. What motivates you? Growing the business.
6. What irritates you? Not maximising opportunities because of indecision or poor management.
7. Who do you most admire in business and why? I admire people who speak well and motivate people but also those who get their hands dirty and get involved in their business. I think giving back to the community is also important – by giving employment, for example. I guess my dad’s been a good role model in all those areas.
8. What was the last book you read and what did you think? Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin. It’s about one man’s mission to improve education in Afghanistan and Pakistan by building schools for girls. It was a real eye-opener and an excellent read.
9. What do you do to relax? Pair of jeans, cold beer, Rodney Parade.
50 THEbusiness QUARTER
10. What dreams are you still to fulfil? I would love to see Newport really take off as a vibrant and prosperous city for business.
11. What was the last film you saw at the cinema and what did you think? The Smurfs... it was good fun!
12. Favourite food and place to eat it? Anything on the menu at The Newbridge on Usk. I just love the ambience of the place and the chef turns out some wonderful food.
13. What car do you drive? My company car is a Saab as part of its Wales Open sponsorship deal.
14. What’s in your car’s CD player at the moment? I tend to listen to the radio, either TalkSport or Radio 4.
15. What’s your favourite TV programme (old or new)? Game of Thrones
16. Do you tweet? If so, how can we follow you? If not, why? We tweet as a business @TheCelticManor and we’re building a good following but I haven’t got around to setting up a personal account.
17. If you were an animal, what would you be? A Canadian Black Bear.
18. Proudest moment? Being part of the team here that delivered the most successful Ryder Cup ever.
19. And most embarrassing? There’s too many to choose from!
20. What advice would you give to someone wanting to be successful in your line of work? I’m afraid it sounds a bit dull, but in this and most businesses it is not a 9-5 job, you have got to put in the hard work and it’s important to never give up on your goals.
Picture taken by Michael Williams
moment is being part of the
“
team here that delivered the
most successful Ryder Cup ever
“
Proudest
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52