PERSONAILTY PROFILE

MJ Birch — It is all about passion

MJ Birch, 44, has been with The Liz McGrath Collection as general manager of The Plettenberg Hotel, on the Garden Route, for just over six years.

“What I love most about this industry is the people — my team and guests. This is where I get my energy and drive from.

“I am a passionate hotelier and I thrive on the closeness and personalised experience created in the boutique hotel environment. I realised my passion for service as a waiter and barman at Forrester’s Arms in Newlands, but my journey into hotels started a few years later at The Best Western Cape Suites Hotel,” Mr Birch said.

“At present, hospitality in South Africa is in the recovery phase. We are seeing a resurgence of international travel returning to the country. However, it will take a while for the industry to return to the numbers of international travellers that we were experiencing pre-Covid, but I believe that with time, hospitality will bounce back, even stronger than before,” Mr Birch said.

Where were you born and raised?

I grew up in Cape Town. I went to St. Josephs Marist College in Rondebosch and had the great privilege of studying hospitality administration and management in London.

How long have you been in the hospitality sector?

I began my journey in working in hotels in 1997, when I was an inhouse trainee in Cape Town. It was there that I realised that I had a real passion for the hospitality industry. During that time, I was exposed to all aspects of hotel operations. At the end of that year, I was offered an opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom and I spent the next three and a half years in two hotels – Thistle Hotels St. Albans and The Berners Hotel in central London –gaining international experience.

On returning to South Africa in 2002, and after a short stint in one of Cape Town’s most prestigious large hotels – Sun International Table Bay in the V&A Waterfront – I joined Londolozi Private Game Reserve in 2003, a Relais Châteaux property near the Kruger National Park, as Camp Manager, firstly responsible for the exclusive sixbedroom Pioneer Camp and later, the much larger twelve-bedroom Bateleur Camp now known as Varty Camp.

After a very successful two years with Londolozi, I moved to another Relais Châteaux property in the Cederberg Mountains, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat. I held the position of assistant general manager for three and a half years.

In 2008, I realised my career dream and joined the very upmarket and exclusive Ellerman House, the third Relais Châteaux property of my career. I spent the next eight years honing my skills as operations manager and, during this time, growing as an hotelier and developing my management style.

In 2016, I joined The Plettenberg Hotel.

Were you always involved in this sector?

Straight after school I began to study physiotherapy and soon realised that working and studying was not a good combination, especially as I was discovering that I had a real passion for the service industry.

What has been your biggest challenge in this sector?

Managing a hotel and leading a team through the pandemic and the everchanging parameters that we had to navigate through.

What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in this sector?

Hospitality is always evolving — guests’ expectations are ever changing, so, as an industry, we need to be fluid and have the ability to change and adapt to the ever changing demands of the modern-day traveller. The pandemic has been the biggest change for everyone in our industry, there is no doubt about that.

Do you have any hobbies?

I collect rugby jerseys — rather strange, I know. Whenever I travel to a rugbyplaying country, I buy that country’s jersey. I have a decently sized collection, but it needs to grow some more…

What would you change in your life if you could when looking back?

I would realise earlier in my career the importance of a work/life balance.

Do you play any sports?

I played rugby and cricket all through my school career and continued to play club rugby until I left for the UK.

What is your favourite sport?

Rugby, and my favourite sportsmen are Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbi.

What is your secret to success?

Get knocked down eight times and get up nine. Integrity is everything, and never be afraid to ask a question.

What is your pet hate?

Passing the buck.

What is the most memorable place you have ever been to, and why?

Japan — the people, the culture, and how amazingly clean and tidy the cities are.

What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?

Cruise ships — not for me.

What role does your family play in your life?

I am married to Adele. My family are my biggest support and encouragement. They understand what the industry demands and have always driven me to be a better version of myself.

If you could be anyone for the day, who would you be and why?

That better version of myself that I strive to be every day.

What is your favourite city?

Tokyo — amazing city, exceptionally clean, very friendly people.

What is your favourite movie?

It has to be Top Gun

What do you do for leisure?

Spend time with my family. Quality time with my son, on the couch, with our feet up and watching a good movie. Walking.

What is your favourite food?

Homemade pork loin ribs cooked to perfection on the braai.

Who is your role model?

Tim Cumming — he was one of my previous general managers and he was the ultimate host. He taught me the positive impact that a general manager can have on a guest’s experience, and I try to live up to that every day.

What advice do you have for anyone starting out in this industry and hoping to follow in your footsteps?

It is all about passion — find your niche, do what you love to do every day. Learn as much as you can from the people around you – lessons are learnt in the most surprising places and generally unexpectedly. Try and be better today than you were yesterday. You are human, you will make a mistake. Always learn from them and do not sweat the small stuff.

What is your dream for the future?

To give the world to my family.