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.

The prestigious award, presented to only one individual once a year, is given to those who have gone above and beyond in the industry and helped to support those in the wider hospitality community.

Presented on Wednesday 30 October at a celebratory lunch at Gleneagles in Perthshire, Gareth was commended by the judging panel of hotel experts as “a modern hotelier” and his incredible ability to juggle and excel in multiple roles with his strong leadership and steady hand.

Having graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Hospitality & Restaurant Management, Gareth started his hotel career by joining the Marriott graduate development programme in London. This led to several operations and project management roles with the company, including the acquisition of Swallow Hotels.

After leaving Marriott in 2005, Gareth took up the position of hotel manager at The Cavendish London, followed by general manager of The Hempel. He returned to work for Marriott International as general manager of St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in 2013 and was appointed pre-opening managing director of The Ned in 2016, winning the Hotel of the Year Catey in 2019.

Gareth has also had an extended career within the Master Innholders community, receiving an Innholder Scholarship in 2012 and becoming a Master Innholder shortly thereafter. In 2016, Gareth was appointed as Chair of the Innholder Scholars, helping to lead alumni events and build its community throughout his tenure.

He also regularly features as an industry panellist and maintains close links with several universities where he has made numerous speaker appearances. He has also been recognised for his contribution to numerous mentoring programmes over the last decade and continues to support young managers and graduates within the sector.