Business First Meets Jan Parke, Financial Controller at Titanic Hotel Belfast, who this Sunday, will join other members of the hotel’s executive team to run the Belfast City Marathon for the hotel’s chosen charity, Cancer Fund for Children.
A Chartered Accountant, Jan joined Titanic Hotel Belfast in 2021 and is responsible for management of monthly accounts, cashflows and forecasts for all Ulster Hotels in the Harcourt Developments group. Mentoring and developing the hotel finance teams in accounting and control best practices. Budgeting and other ad hoc projects as required.
Jan, tell the readers of Business First what you love about your job:
I love the people I get to work with on a daily basis and that no two days are ever the same. In my role I get the opportunity to talk to staff across the hotels as well as working closely with head office. I also get to do a little more travelling as part of the wider group which is enjoyable especially now my children are that little bit older.
What do you enjoy most about the tourism/hospitality industry?
It would have to be the people. I have always worked in the industry, my dad was a chef, now retired, and my husband is the Executive Chef of our own family restaurant business, The Bryansburn Inn. I guess it is in my blood!
How/why did you get involved in the tourism/hospitality industry?
My first job in the industry was actually as a kitchen porter back when I was a teenager. I went from that to working part time out front as a waitress, whilst I studied at school and then university.
I took a step back from the industry to train as a chartered accountant when I left university and went into practice. It was only at the end of the pandemic when the position of Financial Controller at Titanic Hotel Belfast became available that I made the move back into the industry, albeit in a completely different role.
I wasn’t planning on leaving the accounting practice I was working in back then but something just struck me as I happened to come across the job advert at that time.
My grandfather was the Financial Controller of the Europa Hotel many years ago and my parents met working in a Hotel, so I guess I just felt it was meant to be and I haven’t looked back since.
What’s your biggest challenge in your role?
Time management. I want everything done now so when I think an improvement can be made, I put pressure on myself to achieve it, which can sometimes be unrealistic.
What’s your favourite thing to do outside of work?
I like to cook when I get the time, music on and a glass of sauvignon blanc in hand – you can’t beat it!
Any hobbies?
The executive team at Titanic Hotel Belfast are running the Belfast Marathon this year as a relay team so running is top of my hobbies at the minute.
Anything unusual you’d like to share about yourself?
I am about to become an auntie for the first time!
What keeps you awake at night?
My teenagers when they are still out! Work also keeps me up at times, especially during budget or audit season but I tend to not let it take over. One of my previous bosses gave me some good advice once, to keep a notepad and pen by the bed. That way when something did come to mind, I could jot it down and then forget about it until tomorrow.
Tell Business First readers what your ideal day off looks like:
My ideal day off would have to start with Brunch with my family, it’s usually the only
time I can get us all together! I am very fortunate to live near the coast so a walk along Ballyholme Beach with our dog would have to be included. I would be lying if I said I
didn’t like to shop and dine out so the day would have to include a shopping trip to Belfast then dinner out with my husband. Given the hours we both work, those days off are few and far between, so we make the most of it when we can.
Jan is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland – FCA Qualified.
To make a donation to the Titanic Hotel Belfast marathon relay team for Cancer Fund for Children, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/titanic-hotel-belfast-marathon-relay
