Alumni Video Series: Meet George Burford

George Burford is the perfect example of what a top-tier education can do to shape a successful career in hospitality. Armed with a Bachelor of Business in International Hotel Management, George has navigated a remarkable career path, from entry-level roles to a leadership position in one of the most prestigious hotel chains.

His journey took hold in 2015 when he graduated from Le Cordon Bleu’s Adelaide campus. He says his time studying with the institution was pivotal, not just for the world-class education, but the global network it provided.

“The first thing I noticed about Le Cordon Bleu was its global recognition,” George recalls.

“The professional network it set us up with and the expertise of the professors were incredibly important to me.”

Le Cordon Bleu’s Hotel Management program, combining practical experience with academic excellence, equipped George with the skills necessary for a successful career in management – but it didn’t happen overnight.

It helped me fast track my career and provided me with a globally-recognised qualification you wouldn’t get anywhere else.

From houeskeeping, he gradually climbed the ranks into concierge and front desk duty management, each position adding a new layer to his expertise.

“I started as a housekeeping runner in Cairns, and the relationship with that hotel led to casual employment with the concierge team. From there, I progressed through various roles, eventually landing in Melbourne.”

Now, George is the Director of Sales at Park Hyatt where he looks after the sales direction and strategy of the hotel.

“We push and strategise and sell this hotel to a variety of different segments and really try and maximise revenue opportunities on a day-to-day basis.”

Looking back on his time at Le Cordon Bleu, he says one of his favourite aspects was the diverse cohort of students he got to share the experience with.

“Not only did I learn about hotel management, but I also learned about different cultures,” he says.

“The friends I made from around the world have become invaluable to my professional network and personal life.”

As for the Hotel Management degree, he says it well-prepared him for what to expect upon entering the industry.

“From operational roles to strategic, commercial and financial positions, the diverse coursework was invaluable,” he says.

“It helped me fast track my career and provided me with a globally-recognised qualification you wouldn’t get anywhere else.”

Explore our Bachelor of Business in International Hotel Management degree