Alastair Storey OBE FIH boosts Institute of Hospitality’s aspiration for Chartered status

The Institute of Hospitality, IoH has received a significant boost towards its aspiration of achieving Chartered status, with a financial donation by hospitality business leader and Westbury Street Holdings Chairman Alastair Storey OBE FIH.

The journey to receiving a Royal Charter is long and robust explains IoH Chairman Kellie Rixon MBE FIH: “Alastair’s support and belief in helping us begin the process of Chartered status is immense. His donation is recognition that he believes in the Institute, our members, and the significant position we hold within the industry we love. If successful, the IoH would be the first and only Chartered Institute in the hospitality sector. The prestige in achieving this objective would be monumental, to the Institute and our members, and would be recognised around the globe as a mark of quality and honour” she confirmed.

Alastair Storey OBE FIH said: “A Charter is a mark of recognition for professional bodies. As the fourth largest employer in the UK, hospitality is critical to the economy. As the global professional body representing our industry, providing a forum for management, it is important the Institute of Hospitality and the professionals within our industry receive the professional recognition they deserve, reflecting their status.”

British Royal Charters have been awarded for over a thousand years and less than 2.5% of those that applied from 2000-2013 were successful, making this an extremely coveted form of recognition. Approximately 20% of professional bodies based in the UK have a Royal Charter or Warrant. 

“The process towards Chartered status is extremely involved, costly and time consuming” said Robert Richardson FIH IoH CEO. “Incorporation by Charter is a form of regulation requiring UK Government Privy Council approval and would demonstrate the value of hospitality as an industry in the UK and abroad. To receive this major injection of support from Alastair to allow us to advance the process is incredible. We are deeply privileged that he believes in our team, our members, and the Institute as a Chartered body”.

The Institute has contracted the Professional Associations Research Network (PARN), to help deliver their Chartered status aspiration for its members and industry. PARN is an independent body who has experience helping organisations achieve a Royal Charter.