Look who's taking orders now

Don't be afraid to ask questions, says Mr Michels

David Michels, 57, became Hilton Group's chief executive in June 2000 after doing a number of top jobs within the company.

He has spent 36 years in the leisure industry since graduating from the London Hotel School - including six years based in the USA.

Mr Michels was formerly chief executive of Stakis and spent 15 years with Grand Metropolitan, where he joined the board as worldwide marketing director.

What was your first car?

The first car I owned was a seven-year-old Triumph Coupe and the first car I really had my eye on was a seven-year-old Triumph Coupe.

What was your first job - and how much were you paid?

I was a casual waiter at Simpsons on the Strand, in London, earning 2/6d an hour.

The only trouble was that you were given 12 Simpsons' teaspoons at the start of each shift and if you didn't hand them all back (that is, let the American customers pinch them) you got 2/6d per spoon deducted from your night's earnings.

Suffice to say that, in those days, each shift turned into "hunt the spoon".

I also worked as a waiter in Yarmouth for the whole summer and my father promised to match however much money I saved.

I got good tips and I still remember his face when he had to match £350.

What type of house did you first own?

A £9,000 two up-two down terrace.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

One of my many bosses, by the name of John Jarvis, who had the almost unique ability to look at any problem from above without personal involvement and therefore give real wisdom.

What's the best bit of business advice you've had?

Never, ever be embarrassed to either ask questions or say you don't know something.

What was the proudest moment of your career?

Getting the Japan Airlines crew contract which, in 1973, was worth £2m a year for The Britannia Hotel.

I remember the then MD of GrandMet's hotel business - a passionate and rather wonderful Frenchman named Eric Bernard - literally kissing me on both cheeks in gratitude ... not the done thing in the UK in the early '70s!

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Hilton Group is a global company with interests in the hospitality and gaming markets.

Originally floated on the London Stock Exchange for £1m in 1967, it currently has a market value of around £3bn.

Formerly known as Ladbrokes Plc, the group changed its name in 1999. It now employs around 77,000 people worldwide and its businesses include Conrad Hotels, Stakis Hotels and the Living Well health clubs.