West London-born chartered accountant David Thomas had his first career break at Rank Xerox, the photocopier machine people, where he worked as its chief accountant for four years in the 1970s. But a move to Ladbroke Holidays as financial director in 1975 would shape his future career, as he met and worked with John Jarvis while there and has remained firm friends ever since.
By the time he left the company in 1988 Thomas had worked his way up to managing director of Ladbroke Hotels, Holidays, Entertainments and Catering (created by the gradual amalgamation of the company's various interests under one umbrella).
A brief stint as main board director and chairman of leisure at Leading Leisure put its leisure interests on course for double-digit growth within 18 months. But by the end of 1989 Thomas was ready to move on. Good timing and an opportunity to purchase Allied Lyons' portfolio of hotels saw Thomas and Jarvis launch their company in 1990: "two men sitting at a desk" had created what was then the largest private hotel company in the UK.
"It's been the biggest change in my life, and the most fun. My only regret is that I didn't do it 10 years sooner," says Thomas. Despite difficult conditions, profit at the company has risen every year since it started trading in 1990. During 1996 Thomas steered the company to a successful listing on the London Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of £300m. And for anyone wishing to follow in Thomas's footsteps, he advises them to "think larger than you first thought of".
Career highlights
1970 - becomes chief accountant at photocopier company Rank Xerox
1975 - joins Ladbroke Holidays as financial director
1984 - becomes managing director of Ladbroke Hotels, Holidays, Entertainments and Catering
1990 - forms Jarvis Hotels with friend and former colleague John Jarvis