BWS issue 34 July August 2015 | Page 24

22 BUSINESS WOMEN SCOTLAND profiles ask the expert SUSAN REID COLLECTION • Tel: 0131 556 4020 With 20 years’ experience of Scotland’s hospitality industry, Susan Reid is delighted to introduce you to her Collection of privately owned properties. Your hospitality sales & marketing expert Experience the luxury Experience the tranquillity Q: When did you launch the business and tell us more about it? events to overseas incentive groups to family special occasion events such as birthday parties, or simply an excuse to escape and relax. I came from a background of hotel operational roles before heading into sales & marketing within large hotel organisations. I always had the idea of working for myself and finally took the plunge and launched the business in November 2003, one of the first to be launched in Scotland offering sales and marketing at an experienced level to owners of smaller and privately owned properties here in Scotland. I take on a very pro-active and hands on role with all my owners and bring with me the professional skills and knowledge which I gained from the larger organisations. Q: What makes your Collection and properties stand out? Working with the owner of a privately owned property is both a privilege and delight. They share the same level of passion and tenacity that I put into my business and we want to stand out from the crowd. A privately owned property I feel has a far more flexible approach to business and work to accommodate the needs of every client no matter what type of event from business to personal. Q: What is the strangest request you have had for a property? Following the last James Bond film which was staged in Scotland I had a London client request that they wished to split into groups and chase each other from Edinburgh by helicopter into the Highlands and finally seek out the team hiding in a remote Scottish castle. Hopefully not blow it up in the end! Q: What makes the Susan Reid Collection so successful heading into its 12th year of business? The personal touch both in working closely with my property owners and then the excellent relationships with the clients booking the properties. I am a great believer that sales now is all about people, I may have some stunning properties on the Collection but it is the people and owners who make it all happen. n Q: What type of clients use your properties or might be interested in the Collection? I market the Collection to all markets and the more people that know about us the better! From corporate For any event requirement in Scotland and further information on the Susan Reid Collection visit www.susanreid.co.uk