GM of the Future 2023

Created in partnership with the Independent Hotel Show, the GM of the Future awards are designed to champion the next generation of hotel leaders and celebrate the dynamic young professionals building their careers in the industry.

About
How to Apply
Previous Winners
2023

About

In partnership with the Independent Hotel Show, The GM of the Future award is presented to an individual who shows promise to fulfill the role of a Hotel GM (or equivalent) in the future. Individuals from independently spirited hotels in the UK will be recognised for their personal and professional development in the hotel industry, their ‘extra mile’ attitude and commitment to becoming a future leader to inspire others.

Along with receiving the award, the winner will also have the opportunity to undertake the distinguished Talent Development Programme at Cranfield University, Buckinghamshire.

Designed for early career professionals with high managerial potential, the programme provides students with a clear strategic understanding of business management, the ability to develop leadership capabilities, as well as aiding in encouraging and inspiring change across your own business.

GM of the Future entries will be judged by a panel of Master Innholders, representatives from the Independent Hotel Show, and other key industry figures. Self-nominations are accepted.

Shortlisted candidates are recognised for their personal and professional development in the hotel industry, their 'extra mile' attitude and commitment to becoming a future leader.

Applications are now closed.

How to Apply

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Previous Winners

Previous winners of the GM of the Future Award include:

2023 - Chris Bancroft, Operations Manager at The Newt in Somerset

2022 - Karen Weisheit, Hotel Manager at Grove of Narberth

2021 - Anna Sirba, General Manager at The Bodmin Jail Hotel

2019 - Samantha Rieu, Hotel Manager at The Beaumont

2023

Chris Bancroft, Operations Manager at The Newt in Somerset, has been named the winner of the GM of the Future 2023 award.

Of the seven individuals shortlisted, two were awarded the ‘Highly Commended’ accolade, including Chiara Sorrentino, Operations Manager at South Lodge and Jordan Hughes, Hotel Manager at Northcote.

The GM of the Future Award 2023 shortlist:

Daisy Turney, Operations Manager, The PIG-on the beach
Jordan Hughes, Hotel Manager, Northcote
Leanne Silavant, Front Office Manager, The Castle Hotel Windsor
Niek de Rijcke, Guest Experience Coordinator, Dorchester Collection
Daniel Greenock, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, Gleneagles
Chiara Sorrentino, Operations Manager, South Lodge
Chris Bancroft, Operations Manager, The Newt in Somerset

GM of the Future 2023 Judge

Dan Rose-Bristow, Chairman of Master Innholders, Owner of The Torridon

Dan Rose-Bristow is the current Chairman of the Master Innholders. His career in the hotel industry began in 1999 when an opportunity to change career into hospitality came in the shape of an offer to manage The Torridon in Scotland, with his wife Rohaise, which her parents had purchased in 1992. Having taken over operations and now bought the business, they continue to build on the family success. Employing up to 55 staff and with a focus on training and excellence, the hotel has won number of industry and tourism awards including the Catey Independent Hotel of the Year 2018. Daniel was awarded the Master Innholders Derek Balls Scholarship in 2017 and attended Cranfield University as part of the Derek Balls Scholarship.

GM of the Future 2023 Judge

James B Clarke, Vice Chairman of the Master Innholders, GM at Hilton London Bankside

James B. Clarke is General Manager at the Hilton London Bankside - an award-winning hotel located in the heart of London's Cultural Quarter. He brings with him over 30 years of experience within the hospitality industry, offering a wealth of experience he has gained from around the world. Alongside his work in the UK, James’s career has taken him the US, where he worked at various prestigious hotels including the Grand Hotel Marriot Resort, Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Boca West Country Club and The Waldorf Astoria Hotel. James has also worked for Martineau Bay Resort & Spa, Vieques Island and the El Conquistador Resort & Spa in Puerto Rico, Hilton New York, Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel and London Hilton on Park Lane.

GM of the Future 2023 Judge

Glenn Wallace, Event Manager at Montgomery Group

Glenn Wallace is the Event Manager at Montgomery Group, a global events company with over a century of expertise in delivering market-leading events for a variety of industries. He also oversees the management of the Independent Hotel Show, an annual event dedicated to luxury and boutique hoteliers. With sales expertise in Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia, Glenn is a top-rated executive with over 15 years’ experience working with Global Fortune 500 companies.

GM of the Future 2023 Judge

Adrian Ellis MI, Hotelier of the Year & GM, The Lowry

Adrian Ellis is a hotel executive with 24 years’ experience of managing luxury international properties in the UK, Europe and Asia. In February 2015, he returned to Manchester to become the General Manager at The Lowry Hotel. He has received numerous awards from his extensive career in the industry, including the Acorn Award as one of the top 30 hoteliers under the age of the 30 in the UK in 1993, a Top Hotelier award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences in 2008 and most recently being awarded Hotelier of the Year in 2022.

GM of the Future 2023 Judge

Karen Weisheit, GM of the Future & Hotel Manager, Grove Narberth

Karen Weisheit is the hotel manager at Grove of Narberth in Pembrokeshire and last year’s winner of the GM of the Future award. She has a wealth of experience in the hotel industry spanning 15 years, which also saw the Grove of Narbeart winning UK Hotel of the Year at the 2022 Catey Awards under her management. Her love of the industry began when she was young, helping her dad at family parties making cocktails and checking guests were happy. This eventually led to her travelling to Austria for a three-year hospitality apprenticeship before then taking on roles such as Head Waitress, Restaurant Manager and House Manager at a variety of different hotels.

GM of the Future 2023 Judge

Petra Clayton, CEO Custard

Petra Clayton is CEO and creator of hospitality marketing consultancy CUSTARD, which she launched in 2007 to deliver creative, strategic, and measurable marketing and communications solutions to the hotel, venue and hospitality supplier industry. With more than 25 years in hospitality marketing, Petra is a frequent commentator on relationship marketing, wellness, digital PR, brand partnerships, consumer behaviour, destination marketing and brand development. She has also relished the opportunity to share her teaching and marketing expertise with the industry and is a trainer for the Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma.

GM of the Future 2023 Judge

Wallace Vincent, Executive Secretary at Master Innholders

Wallace Vincent is the Executive Secretary of the Master Innholders, helping to promote its various educational programmes as well as manage the delivery of its events throughout the year. With a 23-year military career under his belt, Wallace has worked with some of the world’s largest service providers in the defence, healthcare, and education sectors as a divisional director. As a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, Vice President of the Réunion des Gastronomes and a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Cooks, Vincent is firmly embedded within the hospitality industry. He has also previously worked as a Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma (MIALD) tutor.