Steve Graham: Manorview Hotel and Leisure Group

Steve started out in his family’s fairground business, like his father and grandfather before him, and believes the discipline and hard work it instilled in him are key to his success today. He moved into property development at 30, before founding the family-run Manorview Group in 2007, with his first venue, The Commercial Hotel in Wishaw, Lanarkshire. Ten years on the Manorview family has grown to a total of 16 licensed trade properties, comprising nine hotels (149 bedrooms), five pubs and two nightclubs with a total staff of over 500. The group has a reputation for restoring old buildings, and giving them a new lease of life through ambitious refurbishments. A year ago it opened Boclair House Hotel in Bearsden following a £3 million transformation of former council offices and most recently it unveiled a new look Grand Ballroom at Cornhill Castle near Biggar which was purchased last year. This is phase one of a £750,000 investment which will see the addition of new bedrooms and a state-of-the-art honeymoon suite. The iconic Star & Garter Hotel in Linlithgow, West Lothian became hotel number nine last year and the group’s Busby Hotel in Clarkston, Glasgow, was named Wedding Venue of the Year at the 2016 Vows Awards. Despite its growth, the Group retains a family-run feel – Steve’s son, Carlton, is Group Operations Manager, while his niece Fallon Cowley is Group Operations Director and her husband, Anthony, is Property Development Director. Fallon’s sister, Fawn Findlay, is Group Weddings and Events Manager. Together they adopt a hands-on, collaborative approach with the aim of delivering the highest quality service for customers and creating a positive working environment for their “extended family” of staff. The group promotes an ethos of “giving something back”, a philosophy encouraged by CEO Steve, which emanates throughout the company. All venues and staff engage with chosen charities, participate in fundraising, and look for ways to support their local communities. Total turnover for the year to 31 March 2016 for the entire Group was £15.8 million.