We get a glimpse into the wonderful personality of
Rachel Gibson – Recruitment & Communications Manager at Vatel – Hotel and Tourism Business School
What’s your favourite film?
Grease.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
To treat everybody with respect, regardless of their position or status. I really believe that if you treat people well, it is mostly returned. As the saying goes, ‘Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.’ Kindness and manners cost nothing, but mean everything.
What is your dream holiday destination?
It has to be Oman. It has a special place in my heart. I grew up there, and Muscat is home. The Omani people are so genuine and hospitable, and the coastline is stunning. I have been lucky enough to have seen turtles, nemo fish, octopus, rays, eels, angel fish, puffer fish etc. It probably would have been easier to say what I hadn’t seen while snorkelling a few metres from the shore in Muscat. The starlit desert is magical, and the mountains hold their own beauty with vast caves and even some leopards. I hope to be lucky enough to see the leopards – maybe one day!
What song would you sing at karaoke?
Really? No. I am always too busy talking.
What skill would you like to learn?
I would love to learn to think before I speak. See above. Haha!
What’s your proudest achievement?
Landing a great job at the London School of Economics & Political Science and spending a fantastic 11 years there. It really is a fabulous institution and houses some great people with incredible minds; some slightly eccentric and whacky maybe, but nevertheless still notable. I worked closely with Sir (he hates being called Sir) Howard Davies where no two days were ever the same. He once said in a radio interview that I was the first person he’d call in an emergency because I was forever shielding him from unwelcome customers, or the random oddball who walked in off the street thinking that he must be in charge for all the street lamps in UK being used as CCTV cameras! I kid you not. I have so many stories… Then I went on to manage LSE’s international partnerships – and indeed my first trip to Bahrain was for precisely that reason way back in 2011. I then moved to Bahrain permanently, around 5 years ago, and now work as the Communications and Recruitment Manager at Vatel College – ‘the Sorbonne’ of Hospitality around the world so I am now mixing education with manners!
Cats or dogs?
Cats, of course – although I do love all animals. Fundraising for the BSPCA was so much fun, and it was great to be surrounded by a community of people who care about the welfare of animals, especially here in Bahrain where the weather is so harsh. The animals need all the kindness and support we can offer in order to survive in this climate. Putting out a bowl of fresh water daily goes a long way…
