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Master Innholders champions future talent with new Aspiring Leaders cohort

18 talented hotel professionals have been provided a place on the hospitality industry’s leading educational programme for ambitious hotel managers, the Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma.

Created in 2012 to address the need for accessible and affordable training and development for aspiring hospitality professionals, the now three-time winner of the Princess Royal Training Award programme will see students undertake a specialised 12-month development course, all designed to help them develop the skills required to successfully undertake more senior hotel roles in their career ahead.

Each module of the programme will be held at various prestigious hotels and venues across the UK, with students all working towards earning the internationally recognised Level 5 Award from the Institute of Leadership & Management. Hotels included as part of this year’s programme include the likes of Pennyhill Park, Foxhills Club & Resort, Eastwell Manor, and many more.

The new 2026 Aspiring Leaders include:

  • Harry Doddrell, Source Restaurant Manager, Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
  • James Ferguson, Assistant Front Office Manager, JW Marriott Grosvenor House
  • Angele Fontaine, Restaurant and Bar Manager, Park Plaza London Riverbank
  • Rebecca Gale, Reception Manager, The Grand Hotel
  • Kodey Hamblin, Guest Services Manager, Penta Hotel Reading
  • Dale Harvey, Duty Manager, Wildhive Callow Hall
  • Rachel Howard, Catering Manager, Talbooth Restaurant, Milsom Hotels
  • Kathryn Kirwin, Reception Manager, The Gore London
  • Joel Langham, Restaurant Manager, The Jetty, Ocean Village Harbour Hotel
  • Jessica Maton, Assistant Manager, Lime Wood Hotel
  • Unni Menon, Reception Manager, Hilton London Bankside
  • Lauren Morgan, Assistant Front of House Manager, The Newt in Somerset
  • Malu Muhlhamer, Assistant Food and Beverage Manager, Cliveden House Hotel & Spa
  • Lydia Parsons, F&B Operations Manager, Heckfield Place
  • Biborka Szeredi, Assistant Reception Manager, The Ritz
  • Justyna Szulc, Hotel Manager, Kimpton Fitzroy London
  • Ciaran Thomas-Smith, Front of House Manager, Sea Containers London
  • Joseph Zanaty, F&B Manager, The Ickworth Hotel

Commenting on the announcement of the new cohort, Tej Walia FIH MI, Master Innholder programme developer, judge for the Aspiring Leaders Diploma and host of one of this year’s modules at Foxhills Club & Resort, said:

“Since supporting this programme, I’m excited by the range of perspectives, energy and ideas that each new cohort brings, all of which are vital when we’re looking ahead to the future of our industry and those that will lead it.

“It’s programmes like the Aspiring Leaders Diploma that allow hoteliers to expand these ideas while building a solid foundation that is needed for a successful career in our industry. The combination of the two is what makes great leaders in our field, and I’m excited to play a part in helping to make that happen.”

The 18 students will begin their studies later this month as they undertake the first of the eight modules, beginning with a focus on professional development. Other modules throughout the year will focus on areas such as people management, motivating teams, leadership development and more.

Upon completion of the course, students will graduate and become Innholder Graduates, an extensive network of graduates from the programme, all of whom continue to support each other expand their network and grow throughout their continued careers.

Speaking on the Aspiring Leaders Diploma, James B. Clarke MI, Chair of the Master Innholders, said:

“Our goal with the Aspiring Leaders Diploma is the same as it was in 2012; to provide accessible and affordable training and development to those with a real passion and drive to grow and lead in our industry.

“Fast forward to today and that goal is now more important than ever. At a time when budgets are tight and development is not always at the top of priorities, it’s programmes like ours that ensure that those who want to excel in their careers are still given the support and opportunities they need in order to do so.”