Let's say hello to...
The Man Behind the Lego House.
Hey, I’m Alex, Bar and Catering Manager at Heriot-Watt Student Union. I might not be the first face you see when you walk into Geordies, Libertys, or Zeros, but I’m usually the one making sure everything behind the scenes runs like clockwork. Think of me as the Wizard of the Union, less smoke and mirrors, more flat whites and stock lists.
I’m originally from Kent, in the southeast of England. I moved to Edinburgh for love and ended up falling for the city too. It’s a dream: all the culture, a bit quirky, and full of character. Safe to say I’m not planning on leaving any time soon.
I’ve been in hospitality for years, managing everything from hotel food and drink departments to high street venues and even airport bars. Though I was looking for something different, with a bit more heart, and the Union felt like the right fit. It’s interesting, dynamic, and with the kind of work-life balance that still feels like a novelty (Christmas off? Yes please).
No two days here are ever the same. My day usually starts with what I call a “crisis check”: is everything and everyone where they need to be? Then I’m on to stock management, supplier orders, pricing, and troubleshooting whatever the day throws at us. It’s varied, it’s fast-paced, and that’s the beauty of it. I’m especially proud of the small changes we’ve made to improve things for our staff, particularly student staff, giving them space to focus on their studies and actually enjoy the job.
The Union value that resonates most with me is fun, because that’s what my world here is all about. It’s not just about serving drinks or running venues; it’s about building a place where students can find their people and make memories.
Outside of work, I’m a bit of a big Lego fan. I’m currently building a cyber hotel complete with neon lights (yes, really). And if you visit my house, the only flowers you’ll see are made of Lego (they’re the only ones I can keep alive!) Oh, and here’s a weird one for you: one of my fingers is shorter than the others. I broke it as a kid, and it just... regrew like that. It’s all part of the charm, right?
Ways to get in touch with me...