Speakers

Joseph Kirtley knows the importance of being a good listener and the value of teamwork. As an 18 year veteran in the hotel industry, and having worked his way from bellboy to general manager, he really understands what it takes to create a successful hotel. To date, Kirtley’s career has spanned two decades and two continents.  It’s his strong work ethic, passion for the hospitality industry and his commitment to creating unforgettable guest experiences that makes him one of the industry’s true innovators. Kirtley is the General Manager of Belgraves, A Thompson Hotel located in the up-market Belgravia neighbourhood of London.

American born Kirtley grew up in Michigan before making his way to Miami Beach. In 1995, Kirtley saw a bellboy position being advertised at the now famous Delano Hotel, part of the Morgans Hotel Group. Intrigued by the incredible art-deco exterior and the alluring world of hospitality, Kirtley took the position. Shortly thereafter, his passion for the industry was ignited and he quickly climbed the ranks within Morgans Hotel Group, progressing to rooms coordinator, rooms division manager and hotel manager. Within 10 years he was appointed general manager at The Royalton Hotel in New York City.  After demonstrating outstanding leadership, Kirtley took on several consecutive general manager positions at different properties within the company’s portfolio.

In 2009, after time at the iconic Mondrian in LA as hotel manager and a summer at Clift in San Francisco as general manager, Kirtley moved his career transatlantic and joined Morgans Hotel Group’s iconic London property – the Sanderson Hotel – as general manager.  After two years in London Kirtley was approached by US hotel group, Thompson Hotels, to launch their first transatlantic property - Belgraves, A Thompson Hotel. Kirtley joined the hotel’s team as general manager in February 2011.