Alexander Kleanthous is regarded as one of the rising stars of the North London Business community. He is the Manager of the Amber Suite and runs various events at the Hive London the home of Barnet Football Club. After finishing school he attended Art College where he studied for his A-levels. Alexander later went on to pursue a career in mechanics, where he received in his first year level 3 B-Tec and obtained a high level of experience in the working world, working for a specialist Porsche garage.
He was then given the opportunity by his father, Anthony Kleanthous, the Chairman of Barnet Football Club, to start working in the family business of sports, leisure and events. Under his father’s advice and guidance, Alexander started working in the kitchens and serving at the bar before making his way up to higher managerial roles. During this time he worked across all areas of the business until his level of understanding of each role led him to a management position.
An opportunity then arose for Alex when the Amber Suite created in 2013, allowing him to take the lead and work with his father to build a new and exciting venture for the business.
In 2015 Alexander took charge of the Amber Suite and expanded the events business, always seeking ways to dominate the various different markets in the events world. Many Asian community events including weddings take place in this prestigious North London venue.
1) What is your current position?
Amber Suite Manager at The Hive London.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
My proudest achievement, that’s always a hard one, I don’t have a single one off achievement that I am proud of over another, I believe all achievements are necessary in order to character build, I guess I am happy with becoming the person I am, I guess that’s an achievement in itself.
3) What inspires you?
It's less of what and more of who, my family play a huge role in my life, just like in most peoples. I guess seeing my father’s work ethic and knowing he came from very little to what he is now is my inspiration, it's not however that he came from nothing but it is his passion to succeed, humbleness and his work ethic that inspires me. People who have these traits inspire and drive me the most, no matter their back ground.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Like most people in life my biggest obstacle in my career is also the same in my life. This obstacle I would suggest is temptation. Temptation to do the thing I want to do and not the thing that's the right thing to do.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My father.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Being able to work with my father. To learn from the man you most respect and admire, is priceless. Not many people have the privilege to be able to work and learn at the same time.
7) And the worst?
Assumptions that others have of you.
8) What are your long term goals?
To carry on my father’s hard work and to ensure the good name that he has created for our family is never questioned nor tainted. To build a legacy with him being the foundation.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would look to tighten the benefit system, ensuring those that really need benefits are gifted with them, People who physically or mentally can not work, I would ensure that those that are gifted with the ability to work to give something back to the community, whether this be cleaning parks, streets, community security or helping the elderly and disabled, a minimum number of hours in supporting the community would be required.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
That’s a hard one! I guess I would have to go with Abraham Lincoln, I mentioned work ethic, passion to succeed and humbleness earlier on, Mr. Lincoln was definitely a man who had all of those traits. Hopefully if I ever made it off the island I would have learned how to apply these traits upon my return!!
