In Person: Michael Newcombe, General manager, Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire

The erstwhile night porter at Park Plaza Lancaster Gate has slightly bigger fish to fry these days - a role as general manager of the eagerly-awaited Four Seasons Hampshire, for one - so it's natural the resolute approach that has got him this far stems from a long-standing passion.

"I was 12 and travelling with my parents when it first began," he recalls. "There was something electric and magical about a hotel lobby. I enjoyed the movement, I enjoyed the chemistry between guests and staff, and I sensed something palpable, even at that age. My parents still say that right from that day, it was all I wanted to do."

The attraction has sent him to the heights of his profession. Following a general business degree at Southampton University, the Warwickshire-born graduate spent a year in Switzerland at the Lausanne Ecole Hoteliere. Back in the UK, he progressed through the ranks via a Hilton management training scheme and the aforementioned work experience; within 18 months Newcombe had stepped up to night manager, and has been on a globetrotting upward trajectory ever since.

"I spent two years working further nights at the Brighton Metropole, and then on to the Mayfair InterContinental as cafe manager," he says.

From there he had three years with Disney, in Florida and Paris, before joining Four Seasons in 1993. The past decade has seen Newcombe fill ever-loftier roles for the hotel chain, taking him to London, Toronto, Sydney, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Dublin, the last of which saw him spending three years as general manager.

Newcombe's current role oversees what will become the UK's third Four Seasons property - a painstakingly converted 18th-century manor with 130 rooms, spa, extensive meeting space and a 250-acre estate - and he has accepted the responsibility with relish.

"Although I've done launches before, to open up a benchmark property in the UK is a massive motivation," he smiles. "I think the people who succeed in this industry are born perfectionists. I suspect that we're never happy until we've got another challenge to face, and you drive yourself forwards. It makes you want to continually find a higher level of success."

The hotel industry's dog-eat-dog marketplace is an increasingly crowded one, but Newcombe is among those who recognise the impossibility of standing out from the competition on product alone. "It's about attitude," he explains. "You have to love what you do. Four Seasons Hotels are run at every level by inspired people with real passion and dedication. The company has good values and treats staff well - that's the secret."

He is also typically sanguine about the obstacles facing the trade. "The definition of stability has been redrawn," he says of the current global unrest. "You have to write a line under the last crisis and move on, and the industry has a strong ability now to deal with these things."

Genuine enthusiasm for a craft is one thing, but the intense zeal that Newcombe shows for his trade leaves little doubt as to where the secrets of his success lie. Thankfully for his employers, it shows absolutely no sign of diminishing with time.

"I love the fact that every day is different," he concludes. "All sorts of things can still surprise you, and it's your ability to react to last-minute changes that I really enjoy. I annoy my friends because I can honestly say that, in 17 years, I haven't had a bad day at work."

NEWCOMBE ON ...

... eating out

"My idea of fun is a simple Italian restaurant with no service expectations and a good ambience. It's nice to unwind in a really good pizza and pasta restaurant, with a carafe instead of fine wine."

... his passion for sport

"I sail every week, have a few rounds of golf and play squash to club level. I'm also a windsurf instructor and enjoy watching sport too - football, rugby, anything. I was heartbroken by the England-Portugal game. It nearly finished me off."

... his dream holiday destination

"California. The only thing I miss in the UK is the consistency of climate, and over there it always seems to be 78 deg. The Americans are wonderfully hospitable too. In Europe, it would have to be the South of France. Monaco, Nice, all along the Riviera ... outrageously beautiful."

... his musical preferences

"I have very diverse taste. My favourite band would be U2, and I used to be an Oasis fan. I saw U2 in Paris a few years ago and it was the best gig of my life - they really draw you in."

CAREER PROFILE

2002-present: general manager, Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire

1999-2002: general manager, Four Seasons Hotel Dublin

1998-1999: temporary cover, Four Seasons Sydney/LA/Santa Barbara

1996-1998: director of rooms, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

1994-1996: house manager, Four Seasons Hotel London