How I got here

David Bartlett has a big challenge on his hands. London's newest Marriott opens in early June at West India Quay in Docklands. With 301 bedrooms, 23 suites and 47 executive apartments, it's a whopper, and launching it is Bartlett's biggest career break to date. Of course, there are some disadvantages: "I get hundreds of e-mails a day - what's happened to picking up the phone?" he asks.

Bartlett began his career in hospitality as a 17-year-old in Nottingham, joining the former Trusthouse Forte's Albany hotel, where he worked as a front hall porter in the concierge's department. Some 18 months later he moved on to the hotel's in-house management programme, gaining experience in all departments.

After a spell in reservations and then as house manager he found his niche in the hotel's busy sales department. Bartlett subsequently left the Albany to join Herald House in Edinburgh, a small, independently owned hotel, where he worked as sales manager for 12 months. Principal Hotels was the next stop, where he started off as regional sales executive before being promoted to corporate sales manager.

Six years later Marriott beckoned, and Bartlett went to the Renaissance hotel, Manchester (one of Marriott's brands), for a two-and-a-half year stint as director of sales and marketing. During this time he was named International Sales Director of the Year for 2002 by Marriott.

From there it was an easy stepping stone to the London Marriott West India Quay and his current role as director of marketing. In this pre-opening period Bartlett's time is spent following up client requests and giving hard-hat tours to potential clients.

Reflecting on his career path, Bartlett says: "I wouldn't change or do anything differently about my career. Starting off as a bellboy gave me good, sound knowledge of a hotel operation while understanding customer needs and aspirations. The biggest thing I've learnt is to take good care of your people and they will take care of your customers. A busy hotel is a happy hotel."

Career highlights

1987
Joins Trusthouse Forte as bellboy at the Albany hotel, Nottingham

1994
Joins Principal Hotels and becomes regional sales executive based at the Palace hotel, Manchester

2001
Joins Marriott as director of sales and marketing at the Renaissance Marriott

2003
Promoted to director of marketing, London Marriott West India Quay hotel