Jorge Sousa
Chief Concierge
Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
199 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
PH: +61 2 9250 3141
FAX:+61 2 9250 3154
Four Seasons Hotel
I was born in Mozambique of Portuguese parents and after growing up in South Africa, arrived in Australia in 1986 .
My career in hospitality began initially back in 1986 at the Gazebo Hotel Kings Cross (now apartments) where I gained experience in many positions. including kitchen hand, mini bar, room service and banquet porter, while also studying full time at the University of Technology (then known as the Institute of Technology) for my degree as a Quantity Surveyor.
In the final year of my degree however I decided that what I was studying for was not actually what I truly wanted to do for the rest of my life and while working at the Gazebo Hotel I came to realise that my heart was set on a future in the hospitality industry. At that point I was already working at the Concierge department as a bellman, and within a year I was promoted to Senior porter and soon after to Assistant Concierge. I came to admire how a Concierge could make so many guests happy – to make the “impossible – possible”. That for me, was a real achievement from which I took so much enjoyment and pride.
In December 1989 I traveled to Japan where I worked as a model and an English teacher. Upon my return to Australia in 1990 I was invited to join the opening team for the Resorts of Australia at Brighton Beach (presently the Novotel Hotel at Brighton Le Sands) in the capacity of Assistant Chief Concierge .
Later in the same year I was invited to join the Concierge team of the Nikko Hotel at Potts Point – again, to open this newly built Hotel, in the capacity of Assistant Concierge under Gerald Glover’s Concierge team. A few years later I was joined by Colin Toomey when he took over the Chief Concierge position. In mid 1997 the Nikko Hotel Potts Point became the Landmark Parkroyal and I was transferred to the Parkroyal Hotel at the Airport as Chief Concierge, looking after the Guest Services, Concierge and transportation departments. This was quite a challenge (as Ron Greedy will agree…) as my days were very long and my nights extremely short! Approximately ten months later I was offered the position of Chief Concierge for the Darling Harbour Hotels, working with one of the very best General Managers I have ever had the privilege to meet – Mr George Bedwani. It was also at this property that I gained my Clefs d’Or membership in 1999.
At this point I was looking after the three properties for Accor (Novotel, Ibis and Mercure Grand at Darling Harbour) comprised of a 900 room complex across the three properties, and this was probably, the most challenging position I have ever held . After 6 years I then felt was the luckiest Concierge on hearth to be offered the position I had long coveted at my dream property… The Four Seasons Hotel Sydney (the old Regent Hotel). This was a property that, in my younger days I would walk past and think so many times… “one day, I will be the Chief Concierge at this amazing property” – and as I do believe that dreams can come true… in this case it did!
In February 2003, I started at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney as the Chef Concierge. Once again after meeting my new General Manager (Mr Stephen Lewis), I knew that I had made the right choice and I was again working in a property with an outstanding General Manager who fully understands the “art of service”, and what the role of the professional Concierge is all about.
Working for this amazing property, with such a strong focus on providing extensive training to all employees and Managers, through my years here I feel I have not only become a much better Concierge, but also a Manager at Departmental level.
My personal motto is – “anyone can be trained to become a Concierge, however, positive and right attitudes can NOT be trained – as this is within the person – it is a personal choice” Having the right attitude, and a determination to refuse to accept mediocre service as acceptable is a good start to a career as a professional Concierge, as well as taking the time to perfection their knowledge, and network and contacts. As we all know only too well our shifts do not end at 5pm or 5:30pm… our duties continue by attending numerous Concierge related functions after work to further our knowledge and contacts, often up to three to four times a week.
Lastly… through my Profession as a Concierge I have to truly thank one person for my success – my wife – In 20 years of marriage, my wife has always been very supportive and understanding towards my profession – to you… I thank you so much!
“In Friendship - Viva Les Clefs d’Or”