Up close and personal with Matt Loughrey, General Manager at Resorts World Genting Hotel.  And the secret’s out about pork crackling and karaoke in the car… 

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

I’m general manager of Genting Hotel at Resorts World, having developed into my current role since being part of our opening team in 2015. I have called Birmingham my home my whole life and I cannot speak highly enough of this city and its amazing people.

HOW DO YOU GET INTO TOWN?

Resorts World is just a few minutes walk from Birmingham International train station so this is my route of choice when I have meetings in the city and for those coming to visit us here.

HOW’S THE COMMUTE?

As a proud Brummie, I live in Birmingham and commute via the A45. Depending on my mood, I spend my commute listening to talkSPORT or practising my karaoke voice!

IS BRUM A GOOD PLACE TO WORK IN?

Absolutely! I’m a massive advocate of our beautiful, multi-cultural city and all it has to offer. Development across the city as well as plans for the future over this side of town with the UK Central Hub, makes Birmingham and the West Midlands one of the UK’s most exciting regions to work in.

COFFEE BREAK?

I love El Borracho de Oro on Harborne Road ¬– just far away enough from the hustle and bustle of Birmingham to be a quiet retreat, with great drink and tapas-style food.

LUNCHTIME?

Usually I eat within Resorts World as there is so much choice but when I do venture further afield I am a big fan of Fumo. Great service and the quality of food is always brilliant, but still quick enough to get in and out again when in a rush.

POWERWALKING?

If I have a spare 30 minutes, I take a quiet walk around the beautiful lake on our doorstep offering me a moment of calm from, what can be, a very fast-paced business. We have a variety of wildlife on and around the lake through the seasons.

WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE CITY?

The rejuvenation of the Eastside has been brilliant to see, but my favourite area has to be Brindleyplace and the surrounding canals. There is nowhere better to have a chilled pint on a summer’s day.

AFTERWORK PINT?

Depending on who I am with, I do enjoy some pork crackling and apple sauce washed down with a craft beer at Purecraft on Waterloo Street, but I equally enjoy a night out in Bierkeller!

HOW CAN THE CITY BE MADE BETTER?

Birmingham is becoming a real destination city for both business and leisure and I’m excited to see what the future holds. We have HS2 (hopefully) transforming the transport infrastructure in what is already a well-connected region. If there is one hope for me, it would be that the arterial A-roads that feed the heart of Birmingham can cope with the increase in traffic.