Master Innholders Community Spotlight - Dale Harvey

We've recently been speaking with members of the Master Innholders community to find out more about their hospitality careers, what working in hospitality means to them, as well as what they are doing currently to give back to the industry as part of their work.

In this spotlight, we spoke to Dale Harvey, Deputy General Manager at Wildhive Callow Hall, who talks about his experience so far on the Innholder Graduates Programme.

What do you love most about working in hotels?

For me, it’s the opportunity to make someone’s stay feel genuinely special. There’s a real satisfaction in knowing that something you’ve done, whether it’s a thoughtful personal touch, great service or simply making someone feel at home – might be something they remember long after they’ve left.

I also love the attention to detail that comes with working in hotels. There are so many moving parts behind a great guest experience, and it’s incredibly rewarding when they all come together seamlessly.

And then there’s the team. I really enjoy bringing that same enthusiasm to the people I work with and seeing them take pride in what they do. When you have a team that genuinely cares about the experience they’re creating, guests can feel it.

Why did you apply for the Innholder Graduates Programme?  

I felt ready to challenge myself and I wanted to build my confidence as a leader.  

The opportunity to meet other people working in the industry was a big part of the appeal too. Hospitality can be a very busy world, so having the chance to step outside your own hotel, share experiences and learn from people facing different challenges is incredibly valuable.

How does it feel to be part of the next cohort for the Innholder Graduates Programme?

It’s a huge honour to be selected as part of Cohort 14. I’m incredibly proud and grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a respected programme alongside other talented hospitality professionals. It’s very motivating to be recognised in this way, and I’m excited to learn, grow, and challenge myself throughout the experience.

I’m also excited to share my own experiences with the cohort. We all come from different backgrounds and parts of hospitality, so there’s going to be a lot we can learn from each other.

For those looking to apply for the Innholder Graduates Programme, what advice would you give them?

It’s easy to look at programmes like this and think you need to have the perfect career story or have everything figured out already. You don’t. Everyone has taken a different route into hospitality, and that’s what makes a cohort like this so interesting.

Be honest about where you are now, where you want to go and why developing as a leader matters to you. Don’t underestimate your own experience either. The things you’ve learned in your career so far, including the challenges, are all part of what you bring to the programme.

Most importantly, show your passion for hospitality. If you’re curious, willing to learn and ready to get involved, you’ll get so much more out of the experience.

What part of the Innholder Graduates Programme are you most looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to being challenged. I want to come away from the programme with a better understanding of myself as a leader, as well as new ideas and perspectives that I can take back into my role.

I’m particularly excited about learning from experienced hospitality leaders and hearing about the different paths they’ve taken. There’s always something to learn from someone else’s experience, especially when you’re at a stage in your career where you’re thinking about what comes next.

And, of course, I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of Cohort 14. We all have our own experiences and perspectives, and I think the conversations between the group will be just as valuable as the formal learning.

What is your favourite part about working in hospitality?

Without a doubt, it’s the people.

I love creating great experiences for guests, but I also love what happens behind the scenes – the teamwork, the laughs and the sense of achievement when everyone has pulled together to get through a busy day.

I particularly enjoy helping people in my team grow in confidence and develop their careers. Seeing someone realise what they’re capable of, take on a new challenge and progress is incredibly rewarding.

Hospitality can certainly be demanding, but there’s something special about finishing a long day with a team that has worked hard together and still has a smile on their face. Those are the moments that remind me why I love the industry.