A group of seasoned hoteliers and hospitality leaders formed a company to pursue "senior management" and help small and independent operators compete in the dynamic hotel industry.
Meadows: Keeping up hospitality sector
Silverforce Hospitality Co was launched in Bangkok, London and Amsterdam in August this year, led by Greg Meadows and partners Leon Dolle and Paris Batra.
"Our company exclusively recruits to high managerial positions, aged 50 and older. We will recruit these positions for the hotel industry and through our business consultancy. Their experience can help strengthen the hospitality sector," said Mr Meadows.
He said retired executives and experienced hoteliers joining the company will be offered interim, seasonal, full-time or consultancy posts based upon the needs of hotel owner or developers.
Over the next 12 months, the company expects to have a few thousand seasoned members from across the world, including Thailand.
"Our uniqueness is in the talent we provide, people who are 50 and over, fit, good-looking, passionate and possessing a wealth of expertise," said Mr Meadows.
"We can walk into a hotel and audit, teach, develop, and problem-solve for service, financial, operations, with creative solutions."
Silverforce targets to handle dynamic tourism, for which many problems might not be solved due to lack of expertise or poor management. Professionals with first-hand experience from working with leading hospitality companies are the best choice for operators.
Mr Meadows said that small luxury or boutique hotels, newly-opened hotels and independent hotels are the main target.
Golf courses, private member clubs, top-end operators of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and restaurant franchise organisations are also suitable clients for Silverforce's services.
In Thailand, hotel owners or recruitment companies require job seekers to have bachelor's degrees from major universities. But Mr Meadows said hotel business needs only people who understand and are passionate about hospitality and services and capable of providing the best service to guests, regardless of education.
Hotels in other countries like Vietnam are also facing a similar shortage of professionals. In Japan, many elderly people want to work at hotels, but there is a shortage of suitable properties to work at.
Born in South Africa, Mr Meadows, 68, began his hotel career at the Savoy Hotel in London and The Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne before he was presented with the opportunity to move to Bangkok where he worked for more than five years at the fabled Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
With 45 years of experience, Mr Meadows is a fellow of Swiss Hotel Management School, teaching and speaking to students all over the world about the role of managers in today's changing world.
Mr Dolle is a seasoned hospitality professional who has held senior positions at various five-star hotels and establishments around the world with many years spent in Asia.
Mr Batra founded the Bangkok hotspot Bed Supperclub, which has closed down. He later went on to conceptualise a number of other venues including Long Table Bangkok, an upscale Thai restaurant boasting the longest dining table in Thailand.