In this candid leadership conversation, Foxhills Managing Director Tej Walia joins hosts Jade and Declan to unpack how a modern country club and resort can feel like a thriving village. From “accidental hotelier” to MD, Tej shares the mindset, investments and people-first practices behind Foxhills’ growth.

With a major multi-million pound redevelopment completed and more on the way, this episode explores how to balance shiny new facilities with relentless attention to basics, and why culture, training and community are the true differentiators.

Tej doesn’t sugarcoat it. He talks staff retention and promotion from within, the realities of post-pandemic hiring, and why AI should power the back office so teams can spend more time with guests. He also reframes wellness for today’s guest — from Pilates and paddle to a well-earned cocktail with friends.

Key topics include:

✅ The “accidental hotelier” journey and Atithi Devo Bhava — guest as God

✅ What makes Foxhills feel like a village and how that shapes service

✅ Redefining wellness for business, members and families

✅ Investing in facilities while never dropping the basics

✅ Staff retention at scale, training, and promoting from within

✅ AI as a facilitator for better human service

✅ Mentoring, mental health, and making hospitality a chosen profession

Whether you lead a hotel, club or resort, this episode offers practical lessons on culture, consistency and community that you can apply right away.

🎧 Listen now to hear the full conversation with Foxhills MD Tej Walia.

Read more episodes and hospitality insights at Hotel Magazine.

Key Moments

00:00 – Tej’s origin story and the principle of Atithi Devo Bhava

00:42 – Introduction and career highlights to date

01:41 – Three things people may not know about Tej

02:54 – What makes Foxhills a “village” for members and guests

04:01 – Inside the Pavilion family building and estate facilities

05:17 – Hospitality as a lifestyle, not just a job

07:35 – Balancing community feel with national events and tournaments

08:43 – A broader definition of wellness that meets guests where they are

10:33 – Lessons from major refurb and development projects

14:04 – Staff retention, perks and why familiarity matters to members

16:28 – Training that sticks and promoting supervisors from within

18:57 – Trends to watch and why “bleisure” fits Foxhills

19:56 – Where AI helps — and where only people will do

22:21 – Commuting, work rhythms, and family support

24:42 – Quick-fire: habits, myths, first impressions

25:39 – AI: threat or opportunity

27:27 – A favourite hotel and early career foundations

28:29 – Mentors then and now — and mentoring others

31:54 – Leading millennials and Gen Z with open feedback

33:02 – Learning to support mental health at work

34:37 – Nurturing talent with clear pathways and the “Passport” program

35:54 – Hotelier Hall of Fame pick — Tej’s mum

37:12 – What Tej is doing to better the industry

39:01 – The biggest frustration and the promise of hospitality as a profession

40:25 – Career highlights and hosting major events

42:25 – Tej’s definition of hospitality today

📩 Like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to date on leadership, wellness and innovation in hospitality.

🔗 Learn more at Foxhills Club & Resort and Hotel Magazine.