InterContinental Hotels (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza etc) reports on its third quarter. Overall revenue per room is expected to rise just slightly, on a year-on-year basis, with China strengthening. After kicking her career off as a developer, Suman Rao now runs the UK and Ireland operations of Avaloq, which provides software for wealth managers. Photographer: Leonard Kehnscherper/Bloomberg How do you save time? By avoiding multi-tasking. I know women are expected to juggle 20 different balls at the same time, but I’ve learned the most efficient way to save time is to complete one task and then do another. On big days, I wear… Things I’m comfortable with, like my Apple watch. I’m a geek at heart. Your favourite lunch place? My husband and I have a home in Malaga and my favourite place there is Martin Playa, an amazing beach bar in Fuengirola. My worst trade, or equivalent, was… I bought a few Bitcoin in 2014 and sold them a week before prices really took off in 2021. At the start of my career, I wish someone had told me… To ask more questions. When you’re young and older colleagues speak with full confidence, you don’t really dare to ask why — and will learn less. What are you reading? I’m currently re-reading James Clavell’s Shogun. I find all the plotting and finding out people’s weaknesses very intriguing. How do you switch off? Something that helps when I’m really stressed is to leave my desk, go on the terrace and listen to Radiohead or Motown Blues for 30 minutes or so. — Leo Kehnscherper |