Nicky Blake Knox joined the Hilton Hotels group before graduating from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. In 2023, she won the sales and marketing manager of the year at the Irish Hospitality Institute Awards. She was recently awarded commercial director of the year – EMEA at the Hilton Summit Awards 2024.
Are you a saver or a spender?
I am 100 per cent a spender.
Do you shop around for better value?
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It depends on what I’m buying. If it’s a bigger investment purchase then I would definitely shop around. Ordinarily, however, I don’t have the patience for it and tend to be an impulsive shopper in person. I will spend more with brands and/or shops that I trust or can rely on for great service, especially if it’s an independent or local shop.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost?
I think holidays are always my most extravagant purchases. My job has many travel benefits, so I take advantage of the staff rates we get globally. I am therefore lucky to be able to enjoy more extravagant meals and activities whilst on holiday using the budget I would have spent on accommodation.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
Probably our car, which we got just after Covid. It was only over a year old but had been a rental car during that time when no one could leave their house. It had barely any miles on it and was like new, and we got a brilliant deal on it as the manufacturer had clearly a good influx of stock back from the rental market. You might say it was a steal. We’ve had the car a couple of years now and could sell it, I’m reasonably sure, for a good bit more than we paid for it.
How did you prefer to shop during the Covid-19 restrictions – online or local?
Online. I do most of my purchasing online as I rarely have time to go shopping in person. I find I am less impulsive online than I am in person so it’s a bit safer for the bank balance.
Do you haggle over prices?
Not usually. If it’s a big purchase such as a car then I would, but day-to-day I don’t.
How did the Covid-19 crisis change your spending habits?
I got into gardening during Covid so since then I’ve spent a lot more on plants and gardening supplies than I ever did before.
Do you invest in shares?
No, but my husband does. He’s a finance guy so it’s his area of expertise – I just leave him to it.
Cash or card?
Card all the way. With the introduction of mobile tapping, I now use my phone more than ever when paying.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
It was a pair of gorgeous Burberry sunglasses. I consider them very good value for money as I wear sunglasses pretty much all year round so get a lot of use out of them.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
No, I’m not great at saving – I’m a spender, remember – so if I’m buying something big I usually use credit.
Have you ever lost money?
I haven’t, and fingers crossed I never will.
Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win?
I’m not a gambler when it comes to money.
Is money important to you?
It’s important to me in that it allows me to do the things that I love in life. These include going on holiday with my husband, visiting friends and family around the world, stocking my ever-growing book and plant collection, enjoying delicious meals, and so on. So, as long as we have enough to do those things and look after our health, then it’s enough. Money in itself is not what I am driven by.
How much money do you have on you now?
Not a cent.
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
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