The general manager of the recently opened Shanti Ananda is optimistic about its success. He also confides how happy he and his family are to be here.

Each hotel manager has his own manner and philosophy for managing his hotel. Alan Stocker’s particularity is to get the best out of himself by doing some “boring reading” on topics such as management and leadership to know how he can improve himself. Secondly, he is extremely calm in whatever he does.

“From my perspective, it is always about developing myself, my style and how I am perceived. I am always trying to bring out to best in myself. On the other hand I am an ambitious person. This is why I do this job.”

Another uncommon characteristic in his leadership style is the close relationship with his staff and his emphasis on human resources.

“I am a humble person. This means being close to my team. I believe the respect level kicks in at a very personal positioning. I want that open door! I also want a situation where people wake up in the morning and want to come to work! I want them to enjoy their environment just as I do.”

From a very early age, Alan wanted to throw himself in hospitality. He did his first degree in “hospitality and management” in a technical college in Southern England.

But before this, Alan’s experience was already very vast. He has worked in England, Spain, France, the USA, the Caribbean, Arabia and, in several fields, like water-based leisure, golf, resort hotels and more recently he focused on health and well-being. But one of his greatest experiences was being part of the opening team of EuroDisney.

This is Alan’s second stay in Mauritius. He was here before as manager of another hotel before leaving in 2001. Alan’s desire to come back was very strong. So, when he was offered the position at Shanti Ananda, he did not need much time to think before making the move. Last year, he arrived with his wife Magalie, his son Tristan and daughter Kayla.

20th December 2006 is a date Alan will never forget. It was the official opening of Shanti Ananda. In spite of the overload of work, as the hotel opened during the peak of New Year festivities, Alan’s motivation is high. And his expectations are even higher. For this, Alan intends to bring his huge experience into play. For example, he is using Ananda, the hotel in the Himalayas, as a model as the latter has won the acclaimed award of world spa destination for the last two years. He is confident that Shanti Ananda can achieve the same level of success.

“It took them four years to achieve such success. I would like to achieve the same for Shanti Ananda sooner. With what we have already achieved, I feel very confident about the future.”

Ever since he came back here, time has been Alan’s main constraint. This prevents him from doing things he loves like squash and golf. However, if there is something Alan fights to find time for, it is his family.

“I have two lovely young kids. The business takes a lot of time. I arrive here between 7 and 8am and I leave at midnight. It is very rare that I spend time with them. They need this and obviously I do as well. But I am doing my best to find time for them.”

Alan was born in July 1967, in Cambridge. He spent some of his childhood in America, England and South Africa. He got married to Magalie just before he came to Mauritius the first time. Now, he is focused on the future of Shanti Ananda and that of his family. But, he will certainly try during his stay in Mauritius to master French.

“Unfortunately, like a lot of English people, we are not naturally blessed with language skills. When I was in Spain, I used to learn Spanish. The problem is that I confuse it with French. My wife is French but I communicate with her in English. Except if she is angry, when she talks to me in French. So, now in Mauritius, I will try to learn more French. But this time, I am scared of confusing French and Creole.”