This year marks an incredible milestone for Chris Denison Smith, Managing Director of FM Recruitment, as he celebrates 25 years with the business. A quarter of a century spent supporting clients, guiding candidates, and shaping the future of hospitality finance recruitment – it’s a legacy built on deep sector knowledge, long-standing relationships, and a genuine passion for people.
To commemorate the occasion, we sat down with Chris to reflect on his journey – from his early days in hotel finance to his pivotal move into recruitment, and the lessons, challenges, and proud moments along the way. What follows is a candid conversation that not only charts the evolution of a remarkable career but also offers valuable insight into the changing world of hospitality finance, the importance of lasting partnerships, and the power of purposeful recruitment.
Thinking back to the very beginning, what first sparked your interest in hospitality, and what were your early roles like?
When I left college, I was offered junior accounting roles with two different companies – one was a local 4* hotel, which I took, as it just looked more interesting than the stationery supplier! That’s where my love of hotels began, and within two years I was given a huge opportunity to be promoted to Hotel Controller at Oatlands Park Hotel. I worked closely with the Finance Director, producing P&L Accounts, writing management reports and having responsibility for the budgets and forecasts.
Subsequent to that role, I worked as Financial Controller in three other hotels, prior to approaching FM Recruitment seeking a new role – but unsure of whether I wanted to continue in hotel accounts. The monthly routine had become a bit, well, routine, so I was keen to consider other opportunities.
Out of the blue, FM Recruitment decided that they would like to employ me themselves and I was offered a role as Recruitment Consultant. Although I was unsure about a career in recruitment, at least I would be well placed to see all the vacancies in hotel finance should I wish to return to my roots! (Plot spoiler: I didn’t!).
The level of guidance and support that I was given during my first years with FM Recruitment was amazing. Working with people who had also worked in senior hotel finance roles, and had years of recruitment experience, meant that I was able to learn quickly and I was soon working on my own roles and faxing (ask your parents!) Terms of Business and CVs to my clients.
In your early first few years at FM, was there a particular placement or client success story that really shaped your approach to recruitment going forward?
Less than a year after joining FM, I was contacted by one of my old hotel groups, as they were looking for a Financial Controller in the hotel I used to work at. Once I’d recovered from the fact that they weren’t looking to re-employ me, I was delighted that they trusted me to recruit for them. It was incredibly powerful to be able to fully understand the role, the hotel and the company when pitching to potential candidates.
This experience taught me a strong lesson to fully understand the brief when taking on new assignments – probably not by going as far as working in the role for two years first!
Looking back over two and a half decades, what would you say was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did it shape you both professionally and personally?
Some of the biggest challenges over the years have been how we’ve reacted to global events. Hospitality can be quite a fragile industry, and events like 9-11, financial crises, various conflicts and of course Covid, all have a hugely negative impact on companies’ recruitment plans.
As an employee in my early days, a Director, and now Owner, I’ve seen how important it is to protect your people. As with any business, our employees are our most important asset, and we’ve always ensured that despite tough revenue times, we’ve kept our people – enabling us to be ahead of the curve when the market returns.
You’ve seen the hospitality industry evolve dramatically. Can you share a story that captures how the role of finance leaders in hotels has changed during your Time?
The role of finance in hotels (and many other industries) has changed enormously over the years. From being Bookkeeper, to being a commercially savvy business partner, finance leaders have had to adapt to becoming forward-looking.
Whilst the Accountant was previously expected to tell the story of what has happened in the business, they are now expected to be involved in shaping the story moving forwards.
With the vast array of hotel ownership / management structures now prevalent, new areas of expertise for finance professionals have also opened up. Whether it’s Asset Management / Development / Investment / Owner Representative, or reporting roles the opportunities to move away from the month-end routine make the industry sector a hugely exciting one.
You’re known for mentoring and supporting talent. Is there a particular individual or situation where you felt you truly made a difference in someone’s career?
It’s always a pleasure to speak with people who are truly passionate about hospitality and keen to get their first role in the industry. Although FM Recruitment generally recruits for more senior roles, spending time with those individuals who are starting out is important, and personally rewarding.
I recently had someone reach out to me to thank me for the advice and conversations that we’d had 6 months ago. We had discussed some specific junior vacancies that companies were advertising, and having advised the individual to apply directly as I couldn’t directly get involved, they were calling to let me know that they’d just successfully completed their probation period in one of these roles! Hugely satisfying, and hopefully they will become a candidate and a potential client in the future!
Many of your client relationships have lasted for years. Could you tell us about a partnership that stands out and how it’s developed over time?
It is very rewarding when clients partner with us for their senior finance teams over many years. To feel trusted to secure people for their business works well for both parties, as we gain a greater understanding into their business, and they trust us to deliver!
One of our clients has grown from five hotels to over 20 in the last three years, with ambitious plans for continued growth. Having placed senior finance people into their leadership team, we are now fully able to understand their growth plans, and company culture, to enable us to place great finance leaders into each of their new openings.
As you look to the future, what excites you most about the next chapter for FM Recruitment and the wider sector?
There is no doubt that AI and digital platforms like Linked-in have transformed the way we source candidates. With professional profiles readily available and often up to date, the process of finding people has become faster and more automated. But that also means the value recruiters bring to the table must evolve. Identification alone is no longer enough. The real differentiator now is how well we understand the unique needs of our clients and the deeper motivations of our candidates. The true challenge – and opportunity – lies in facilitating a match that works not only on paper, but in terms of long-term cultural alignment, growth potential, and shared values.
First, this requires genuine insight into our clients’ strategic vision and organisational culture. It’s no longer sufficient to just fill a vacancy. Recruiters must understand where the business is heading, how teams operate, and what kind of talent will thrive in that environment over time. That level of partnership ensures we’re not just hiring for today’s role, but building capability for the future.
Second, we must reframe the candidate experience to reflect this human-centric approach. In an AI heavy landscape, personal connection matters more than ever. Candidates want to feel seen, heard and understood – especially in a market where job options are abundant. Taking the time to understand what drives them – be it career progression, purpose, lifestyle or culture – helps ensure they land in roles where they can truly flourish.
Chris Denison Smith
Tel: +44 208 600 1160 / chrisdenisonsmith@fmrecruitment.co.uk
