Welcome to theAspiring Leaders Diploma

Now in its 13^th year, the Aspiring Leaders Diploma (MIALD) is one of the most sought-after hospitality qualifications in the industry, offering junior-level supervisors and managers the opportunity to develop their skills and further their career prospects.

The programme has long held the prestigious Princess Royal Training Award for its contributions to hospitality training and development, an award that highlights the outstanding training and skills provided by the MIALD programme. In 2024, MIALD was awarded the Princess Royal Training Award for the third time, marking the third time in a row the diploma has been bestowed with the award.

About
The Programme
How to Apply
Costs
Cohort 12
Innholder Graduates Committee

About

Applications for the Aspiring Leaders Diploma 2025/26 are now open! Download an application form here.

The Aspiring Leaders Diploma offers ambitious hotel managers a 12-month development experience like no other. Comprised of eight key learning modules that take place every six to eight weeks across the UK in several esteemed hotel properties and are headed by hoteliers with extensive knowledge and experience in the industry.

Endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality and linked to the Institute of Leadership & Management Level 5 Award, successful applicants will become studying members of the Institute of Leadership & Management.

Members will also receive access to a vast array of online resources to support them in their studies, including e-books, e-journals and over 400 digital learning resources. They are also entitled to invites and discounts to unique events, including the annual Hotel Leadership Conference and MIALD exclusive events.

Upon completion of the diploma, students will become Innholder Graduates and gain access to the extensive network of graduates from the programme, providing a way for all to continue to grow and expand their network while also supporting each other throughout their continued careers.

The Programme

Every six to eight weeks, members will enjoy an action and information-packed two-day workshop across several exciting topics taught by leading UK hotel professionals, including:

Professional Development
Professional Management
Marketing for Managers
Finance for Managers
People Management
Service Operations Management
Managing and Motivating Teams
Leadership Development

Sessions are composed of various learning opportunities, including group workshops, project work, guest speakers, private study and more. Alongside these sessions, successful candidates will also undertake three written assignments which will help reaffirm the knowledge and skills gained on the programme.

Delivery of these sessions is undertaken in a residential setting at a range of attractive venues, with such iconic hotels as The Dorchester, the London Edition and the Vineyard at Stockcross amongst those hosting sessions in previous years.

The dates of the 8 modules for 2025/26 are:

Sunday 27th to Tuesday 29th April 2025

Monday 2nd to Tuesday 3rd June 2025

Monday 14th to Tuesday 15th July 2025

Monday 8th to Tuesday 9th September 2025

Monday 20th to Tuesday 21st October 2025

Monday 24th to Tuesday 25th November 2025

Monday 2nd to Tuesday 3rd February 2026

Sunday 15th to Tuesday 17th March 2026

The Aspiring Leaders Diploma programme 2025/26 is now available to download here.

How to Apply

Applications for the Aspiring Leaders Diploma 2025/26 are now open!

Download the Application Form here to begin the application process. These should be completed and sent, along with a CV and recent photograph, via email to hilary@merlin-consultancy.com.

Costs

Although the programme is subsidised by the Master Innholders and the Master Innholders Charitable Trust, those attending the course are required to make a financial contribution to meet its costs. The employer of each successful applicant will be required to contribute £1,850 towards the overall cost of the programme.

The overwhelming conclusion of employers involved to date is that this level of investment has been more than matched by the benefits their businesses have accrued from having a more highly motivated and well-trained member of their junior management team.

For further details and enquiries concerning the Aspiring Leaders Diploma, please contact: Wallace Vincent MBA FIH, Executive Secretary, The Master Innholders.

w.vincent@masterinnholders.co.uk

Cohort 12

Thank you to everyone that took the time to submit an application this year. Please welcome our 2024 Aspiring Leaders! A huge congratulations to:

Tonicha Baldock, Assistant Operations Manager, The Torridon Hotel
Clea Baradat, Head Housekeeper, Rubens at the Palace Hotel
Marina Brook, Restaurant Manager, Coworth Park
Louis Cool, Food & Beverage, Outlet Manager, Lainston House
Antoine Echassoux, Guest Relations Manager, The Grand, York
Katarzyna Elliott, Deputy General Manager, Woolley Grange Hotel
Mekhyla Fernandes, Reception Team Leader, Hilton London Bankside
Aurelia Idy, Assistant Food & Beverage Services Manager , Pullman London St Pancras
Chloe Jarvis, Assistant Restaurant Manager, Lime Wood Hotel
Lucas Kelly, Food & Beverage Supervisor, South Lodge Hotel & Spa
Caroline McDevitt, Front Office Manager, The Savoy London
Jess Oliver, Head of Guest Experience, Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa
Hannah Prowse-Thomas, Rooms Division & Events Manager, GreyFriars Hotel Colchester
Alana Quigley , Restaurant Manager , Gleneagles Hotel
George Smart, Restaurants & Bar Manager, Grove of Narberth
Sinthujaa Vaseekaran, Guest Relations Supervisor, Pennyhill Park
Ciara Williams , Guest Relations Manager, The Ned City of London
Max Winder, Operations Manager, Mallory Court Hotel

Innholder Graduates Committee

The Innholder Graduates committee is composed of several graduates of the Aspiring Leaders Diploma who oversee the graduate network and help support with the creation of various MIALD events throughout the year.

The current Innholder Graduates committee is comprised of the following members:

Damien Martin	Chair
Oliver Harris	Vice Chair
Adam Hersey	Secretary
Vicky Neilson	Social Media Lead
Ewen Thomas	Past Chair and Committee Member
David Ryan	Committee Member
Ross Cunnah	Committee Member
Karen Weisheit	Committee Member
Raul Deflorian	Committee Member

Alumni - Innholder Graduates

"I cannot stress enough, what a special opportunity MIALD is"

"Being a proud member of the MIALD Alumni, I often reflect on my time on the course with much pride and joy. The 12-month course, during which we experienced some of the most beautiful hotels in the country, not only enhanced my knowledge of practical disciplines, but also helped me grow as a person.

I had so much fun with my cohort, building lasting friendships that have continued until this day. Dr Hillary Cooke, who is the most wonderful course leader, delivers the programme with both professionalism and empathy. This feeling and attitude continues with her students, long after the course has finished, which we all value immensely.

I cannot stress enough, what a special opportunity MIALD is. I urge aspiring leaders to apply and established leaders to support them in doing so"
Adam Hersey MIALD FIH, Sales and Events Manager, Herbert Berger at Innholders Hall and Innholders Graduate