Welcome to theAspiring Leaders Diploma
Now in its 14th 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.
Applications for the Aspiring Leaders Diploma 2026/27 are now closed.
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 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. 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.
The full Aspiring Leaders Diploma Brochure can be accessed here.
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 iconic hotels and venues. The dates and locations of the 8 modules for 2026/27 are:
Sunday 26 April to Tuesday 28 April 2026 - Pennyhill Park
Monday 8 June to Tuesday 9 June 2026 - Macdonald Berystede hotel
Monday 13 July to Tuesday 14 July 2026 - Radisson Red Twickenham
Monday 14 September to Tuesday 15 July 2026 - The Belfry
Monday 19 October to Tuesday 20 October 2026 - Eastwell Manor
Monday 23 November to Tuesday 24 November 2026 - Foxhills Club & Spa
Monday 8 February to Tuesday 9 February 2027 - Thurlstone Hotel
Sunday 7 March to Tuesday 9 March 2027 - RAF Club
Applications for the Aspiring Leaders Diploma 2026/27 are now closed.
Prospective applicants are invited to complete an application form with a supporting statement from their General Manager or sponsor. These should be sent, along with a CV via email to hilary@merlin-consultancy.com
The deadline for applications is Friday 27 February 2026. If selected, you must be available for an in-person interview in the City of London on the morning of Thursday 26th March 2026.
The programme is generously subsidised by the Master Innholders and host venues. Please note that alongside an endorsement by your general manager, they will be expected to sponsor you by agreeing to pay the £2,200 + VAT contribution to the Master Innholders at the commencement of the programme. This includes all tuition, meals and accommodation on the specified dates, as well as ticket to the Hotel Leadership Conference in January 2027.
We also ask that candidates are supported with the necessary travel expenses to and from the venues.
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: secretary@masterinnholders.co.uk
Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an application this year. Please welcome our 2026 Aspiring Leaders! A huge congratulations to:
- Harry Doddrell, Source Restaurant Manager, Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
- James Ferguson, Assistant Front Office Manager, JW Marriott Grosvenor House
- Angele Fontaine, Restaurant and Bar Manager, Park Plaza London Riverbank
- Rebecca Gale, Reception Manager, The Grand Hotel
- Kodey Hamblin, Guest Services Manager, Penta Hotel Reading
- Dale Harvey, Duty Manager, Wildhive Callow Hall
- Rachel Howard, Catering Manager, Talbooth Restaurant, Milsom Hotels
- Kathryn Kirwin, Reception Manager, The Gore London
- Joel Langham, Restaurant Manager, The Jetty, Ocean Village Harbour Hotel
- Jessica Maton, Assistant Manager, Lime Wood Hotel
- Unni Menon, Reception Manager, Hilton London Bankside
- Lauren Morgan, Assistant Front of House Manager, The Newt in Somerset
- Malu Muhlhamer, Assistant Food and Beverage Manager, Cliveden House Hotel & Spa
- Lydia Parsons, F&B Operations Manager, Heckfield Place
- Biborka Szeredi, Assistant Reception Manager, The Ritz
- Justyna Szulc, Hotel Manager, Kimpton Fitzroy London
- Ciaran Thomas-Smith, Front of House Manager, Sea Containers London
- Joseph Zanaty, F&B Manager, The Ickworth Hotel
Graduates of the Aspiring Leaders Programme are invited to join the alumni community of Innholder Graduates upon completion of the programme and use the post-nominal IG where appropriate.
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 events throughout the year.
The current Innholder Graduates committee is comprised of the following members:
|
Damien Martin MIH IG IS |
Chair |
|
Oliver Harris MIH IG |
Vice Chair |
|
Adam Hersey IG FIH |
Secretary |
|
Vicky Neilson MIH IG |
Social Media Lead |
|
Ewen Thomas IG FIH |
Past Chair and Committee Member |
|
David Ryan IG |
Committee Member |
|
Ross Cunnah IG |
Committee Member |
|
Karen de Koning MIH IG IS |
Committee Member |
|
Raul Deflorian IG |
Committee Member |
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