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 Executive or Proprietor.
Applications for 2023/24 are now closed.
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 150 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.
Applications for the 2023/24 Master Innholders are now closed. To be one of the first informed as to when applications reopen, sign up for our newsletter.
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:
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
Applications open for Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma 2025/26
The Master Innholders have opened applications for the highly coveted Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma (MIALD), a career-boosting programme designed for hoteliers ready to take the next step in their leadership journey.
The Master Innholders appoints Alistair Sandall FIH as new executive secretary
Alistair Sandall FIH has been appointed the new executive secretary of the Master Innholders.
GM of The Future 2024 shortlist unveiled
The Master Innholders has unveiled the shortlist for the GM of the Future Award 2024.
AI & Resilience – Learnings from the Innholder Scholars Autumn Meeting
Generative AI, responsible use of AI and the power of resilience were just a few of the exciting topics discussed and presented at the Innholder Scholars Autumn Meeting, which took place this month.
Innholder Scholarships programme awards 12 hoteliers with management courses worth over £11,000 each
12 hoteliers have been selected for this year’s Master Innholders Innholder Scholarships programme.
Gareth Banner MI named Hotelier of the Year
Gareth Banner MI, group managing director of the Ned in the City of London, has been named this year’s Hotelier of the Year.
Master Innholders recognised at AA Hospitality Awards 2024
Hoteliers, including many members of the Master Innholders community, were recognised for their contributions to the industry at this year’s annual AA Hospitality Awards.
IoH Fellow’s Outstanding Contribution Award 2024 shortlist announced
Industry icons including Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL FIH, Professor Peter Jones MBE FIH and Danny Pecorelli FIH MI, are on the shortlist for this year’s highly contested IoH Fellow’s Outstanding Contribution Award 2024.
James B. Clarke MI appointed as Chair of the Master Innholders
James B. Clarke MI, general manager at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, has been appointed as the new chair of the Master Innholders for 2024-2026.