# #247 - Hospitality Meets Chris Eigelaar - Golf, Graft & Great Leadership

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hospitality-meets-with-phil-street-122320/247-hospitality-meets-chris-eigelaar-golf-graft-great-leadership
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hospitality-meets-with-phil-street-122320/247-hospitality-meets-chris-eigelaar-golf-graft-great-leadership.md
Podcast: [Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street](https://stenobird.com/podcast/hospitality-meets-with-phil-street-122320)
Published: 2026-03-18T19:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.hospitalitymeets.co.uk/
Audio file: https://pdcn.co/e/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/7e6e1fa9-420a-429a-b878-2e148c1ac87b.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3403

## Resource

What do you get when an introvert ends up running one of the most iconic hospitality resorts in the country? A very good reminder that the loudest person in the room isn’t always the best leader This week, after what feels like about 17 years of trying to line up diaries , I finally sat down with the legend that is Chris Eigelaar , Managing Director of The Belfry Hotel & Resort . Now, if you know The Belfry, you’ll know it’s not exactly a sleepy little B&B with a bowl of mints on reception. We’re talking world famous golf , huge events , 468 bedrooms , 1,100+ team members , a £90m transformation , and the kind of sporting history that makes golf fans go a bit weak at the knees. And yet, underneath all of that, Chris is one of the most grounded, thoughtful leaders you could hope to meet. We talk about growing up in hotels in South Africa, arriving in London with a thousand quid and a return ticket, learning that he was a much better front of house operator than chef… and why understanding yourself might be one of the most important things you ever do in leadership. Also, yes, there is a story involving a documentary , a fake power cut , and a perfectly timed on camera jump . Which is, obviously, exactly the sort of thing I’m here for. In this episode, Chris and I get into… • Growing up in a hotel family, where hospitality was basically in the wallpaper • His dad giving him two career options: the Navy … or hospitality • Starting out wanting to be a chef before being politely redirected elsewhere • Moving to London with £1,000, traveller’s cheques, and vibes • Picking up whatever work he could get, including some wonderfully random shifts • Helping open the Sofitel St James and building his early career in luxury hospitality • Why he briefly left hotels… then rea…

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