The award of Master Innholder is open to practicing hoteliers from both the independent and group sectors by application each year.
Applications are sought from recognised leaders in hotel management whether as a successful General Manager, Managing Director, Chief Executives, owners or individuals in similar roles who can demonstrate extensive skill in both leadership and management within the hotel industry, as well as showcase examples of innovation and change.
2025 Applications for Master Innholders membership are now closed.
For queries about applications for next year, please email secretary@masterinnholders.co.uk
The Master Innholders is a well respected, prestigious force within the hotel industry – an elite corps which is publicly recognised as a standard bearer for the industry.
With over 160 members, it aims to influence standards and extend professionalism within the industry; to promote consideration, study, discussion and research in the areas affecting hotel management including management development, training, education and recruitment.
2025 Applications for Master Innholders membership are now closed.
Since its inception in 1983, The Caterer's Hotelier of the Year award has celebrated the UK’s most exceptional hotelkeepers and is the pinnacle of a career in hotelkeeping. Please see a list of the Master Innholder representatives of the Hotelier of the Year award:
2024 Gareth Banner MI, Ned in the City
2023 Conor O'Leary MI, The Gleneagles Hotel
2022 Adrian Ellis MI FIH, Lowry Hotel
2021 Daniel Pedreschi MI FIH, PPHE
2020 Sally Beck MI FIH, Royal Lancaster London
2019 Sally Beck MI FIH, Royal Lancaster London
2018 David Taylor MI FIH, InterContinental Hotels Group
2017 Sue Williams MI FIH, Whatley Manor
2016 Craig Bancroft MI FIH, Northcote
2014 Danny Pecorelli MI, Exclusive Hotels and Venues
2013 Stuart Bowery MI FIH, Grosvenor House A JW Marriott Hotel
2012 Stuart Johnson MI, Brown's Hotel London
2011 Stephen Carter OBE MI, De Vere Cameron House Hotel
2010 Andrew Stembridge MI FIH, Chewton Glen Hotel
2009 Jonathan Raggett MI, Managing Director, Red Carnation Hotels
2008 Andrew McKenzie MI, Vineyard at Stockcross, Newbury
2007 Michael Gray MI, Hyatt Regency London, the Churchill
2006 Richard Ball MI, Calcot Manor, Tetbury
2005 John Stauss MI, Four Seasons, London
2004 Patrick Elsmie MI, Gleneagles
2000 Peter Crome MI, then at Chewton Glen, New Milton
1999 Nick Ryan MI, then at the Crinan, Argyll
1998 Nicholas Rettie MI, then at the Metropolitan, London
1997 Peter Lederer MI, Gleneagles
1996 Chris Rouse MI, then at Turnberry, Ayrshire
1995 Ricci Obertelli MI, the Dorchester, London
1993 Ken McCulloch MI, then at One Devonshire Gardens, Glasgow
1992 Dagmar Woodward MI, then at the Mayfair InterContinental, London
1991 Martin Skan MI, then at Chewton Glen, New Milton, Hampshire
1990 George Goring MI, Goring hotel, London
1988 Ronald Jones MI, then at Claridge's, London
1986 Harry Murray MI, then at the Imperial, Torquay, Devon
1985 Terry Holmes MI, then at the Stafford, London
1984 Ramón Pajares MI, then at the Four Seasons, London
1983 Richard Edwards MI, then at the Chester Grosvenor, Chester
