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.
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. To date, 31 of 38 worthy winners of this incredible accolade have been Master Innholders. Please see a list of the Master Innholder representatives of the Hotelier of the Year award:
2024 Gareth Banner, Ned in the City
2023 Conor O'Leary, The Gleneagles Hotel
2022 Adrian Ellis, Lowry Hotel
2021 Daniel Pedreschi, PPHE
2020 Sally Beck, Royal Lancaster London
2019 Sally Beck, Royal Lancaster London
2018 David Taylor, InterContinental Hotels Group
2017 Sue Williams, Whatley Manor
2016 Craig Bancroft, Northcote
2014 Danny Pecorelli, Exclusive Hotels and Venues
2013 Stuart Bowery, Grosvenor House A JW Marriott Hotel
2012 Stuart Johnson, Brown's Hotel London
2011 Stephen Carter, De Vere Cameron House Hotel
2010 Andrew Stembridge, Chewton Glen Hotel
2009 Jonathan Raggett, Managing Director, Red Carnation Hotels
2008 Andrew McKenzie, Vineyard at Stockcross, Newbury
2007 Michael Gray, Hyatt Regency London, the Churchill
2006 Richard Ball, Calcot Manor, Tetbury
2005 John Stauss, Four Seasons, London
2004 Patrick Elsmie, Gleneagles
2000 Peter Crome, then at Chewton Glen, New Milton
1999 Nick Ryan, then at the Crinan, Argyll
1998 Nicholas Rettie, then at the Metropolitan, London
1997 Peter Lederer, Gleneagles
1996 Chris Rouse, then at Turnberry, Ayrshire
1995 Ricci Obertelli, the Dorchester, London
1993 Ken McCulloch, then at One Devonshire Gardens, Glasgow
1992 Dagmar Woodward, then at the Mayfair InterContinental, London
1991 Martin Skan, then at Chewton Glen, New Milton, Hampshire
1990 George Goring, Goring hotel, London
1988 Ronald Jones, then at Claridge's, London
1986 Harry Murray, then at the Imperial, Torquay, Devon
1985 Terry Holmes, then at the Stafford, London
1984 Ramón Pajares, then at the Four Seasons, London
1983 Richard Edwards, then at the Chester Grosvenor, Chester
News & Views
2025
10 industry leaders to be awarded Master Innholder status
The Master Innholders has announced that ten industry-leading hotel professionals have been awarded the prestigious Master Innholder status following this year’s rigorous application process.
Latest News
Q&A With Master Innholders Executive Secretary, Alistair Sandall
We sit down to hear Alistair Sandall’s reflections on his first month in his new role, his vision for the year ahead and more in our latest Q&A.
2025
Master Innholders Educational Visit to Louis Jadot
The Master Innholders is delighted to announce that this year’s educational visit will be to Burgundy, France in partnership with Louis Jadot, one of the region’s most prestigious and well-respected wine producers.
2025
Wallace Vincent – A thank you from the Master Innholders Community!
After eight incredible years as Executive Secretary of the Master Innholders, Wallace Vincent celebrated his retirement at a celebratory gathering among members of the Master Innholders community and industry peers at Coworth Park, Ascot this week.
2025
Hotel Housekeeping Honours Open for Entries
Nominations for the 2025 Hotel Housekeeping Honours are now open - find out how to apply.
Edge Hotel School wins European Mise en Place Cup on the First Attempt
A team of five students from Edge Hotel School have been described as “incredible” by judges at a European competition for hospitality students after being crowned champions on their first attempt.
2025
The Master Innholders Charity Cycle Ride Returns!
Calling all cyclists! The Master Innholders charity cycle ride, in collaboration with Champagne Taittinger and Hatch Mansfield, will return this year, taking place 10-14 September 2025.
Conferences
Hoteliers Distil Excellence at this year’s Hotel Leadership Conference
Creating unforgettable experiences, living your businesses’ values and embracing change were just some of the many topics explored in how to distil excellence at the annual Hotel Leadership Conference.
Awards
Brigitta Kovács announced as General Manager of the Future 2025
Brigitta Kovács, Assistant Hotel Manager at Lucknam Park Hotel, has been named the winner of this year’s Master Innholder’s General Manager of the Future Award at the Hotel Leadership Conference 2025.