Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma awarded Princess Royal Training Award

The Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma, the sought-after hospitality qualification that equips junior-level supervisors and managers in the hotel industry with the skills they need to excel and accelerate their careers, has been awarded the coveted Princess Royal Training Award for its commitment to education and training within the industry.

Only awarded every three years to selected businesses chosen by a panel of experts, the achievement marks the third time in a row the Aspiring Leaders Diploma has been bestowed with the award.

The judging panel of experts, comprised of individuals from across the world of learning and development, noted the Aspiring Leaders Diploma’s importance as a continued investment in positive retention and development in the hotel industry amidst reduced margins, operational pressures and a challenging labour market.

The judging panel also praised the high retention rate of those undertaking the diploma, with 92% of learners from the past three cohorts still working within the sector, with many going on to more senior roles within their field.

Speaking on the award announcement, Dan-Rose Bristow MI, Chairman of the Master Innholders, said:

“Education is a vital component of what we do here at the Master Innholders, and this is particularly true when it comes to those still in the early stages of their hotel career.

“With the many challenges our industry faces, it’s more important than ever that we are investing in our people to ensure they have both the confidence and skills they need to lead our industry in the future as well as to support them in becoming leaders in their own right.”

Now in its 12th year, the Aspiring Leaders Diploma offers ambitious hotel managers a 12-month development experience that is comprised of eight key learning modules. These modules take place every six to eight weeks across the UK in several esteemed hotel properties and are headed by hoteliers with extensive knowledge and experience in the industry.

This year also saw several upgrades to the programme, including the move from the previous Level 3 Institute of Leadership & Management Award to Level 5 - providing greater development opportunities for the current cohort of students, as well as those in the future.

The Master Innholders will be presented with the Princess Royal Training Award by HRH The Princess Royal, President of City and Guilds of London Institute, at a ceremony later this year.