Future hospitality leaders recognised with prestigious Innholder Scholarships
12 budding hoteliers have been selected for this year’s Master Innholders Innholder Scholarships.
Each hotelier will now have the opportunity to undertake one of two prestigious management courses, each worth over £11,000, to support their development and growth to become leading hospitality leaders.
Delivered over six months and structured around a series of focused modules, the Innholder Scholarship programme equips participants with the skills to lead cross-functional teams, manage ongoing change, develop strategic thinking, and gain a global perspective on business. Scholars will attend one of two prestigious programmes: the Talent Development Programme at Cranfield University in the UK, or the General Managers Programme at Cornell University in the USA.
The 12 successful applicants of the Innholder Scholarships are:
- Leo Forte, Hotel Manager at Rubens at The Palace
- Daniel Greenock, Director of F&B at Gleneagles
- Christie Hayes, Hotel Manager at Penmaenuchaf Hotel
- Jacques Hobson, Director of F&B at The Belfry
- Joshua Jay-Bates, Hotel Operations Manager at The Headland
- Gilles Louis, F&B Manager at Pennyhill Park
- Tom McMillan, Hotel Manager at The Dixon, Tower Bridge
- Katariina Reissaar, Director of Operations at RAF Club
- Wioletta Rowinska, Rooms Division Manager at The Beaumont
- Murray Scott, General Manager at The Hoxton
- Mark Thewlis, Hotel Manager at Foxhills Hotel & Spa
- Mark Walsh, Hotel Manager at The Westminster, Curio by Hilton
Speaking on the announcement of this year’s scholarship winners, David Connell MI, Executive Committee Member of the Master Innholders and facilitator for this year’s Innholder Scholarships interviews, said:
“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape the future of hospitality, with the Innholder Scholarships playing a crucial role in offering ambitious professionals the chance to expand their knowledge, sharpen their leadership, and bring fresh ideas to our ever-changing sector.
“This year saw a 25% increase in applications over the previous year, and the highest number since before the pandemic in 2020.
“Selecting our winners was incredibly difficult, but it’s clear that this year’s winners have all shown exceptional drive, curiosity, and commitment to developing both themselves and our industry.
“These programmes will help them gain the skills and global perspective needed to guide hospitality into its next chapter, and I look forward to seeing how they will use the opportunity to gain both insight and inspiration to drive our industry forward.”
Since 1997 the Worshipful Company of Innholders, the Savoy Educational Trust, the Master Innholders Charitable Trust and the Lord Forte Foundation have funded the Innholder Scholarships.
For more information on the Master Innholders and its educational programmes, please visit www.masterinnholders.co.uk.