Master Innholders Community Spotlight - Pedro da Silva IS

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.

This week, we spoke to Pedro da Silva IS, General Manager at The Cumberland Hotel. Pedro shares his experience of receiving an Innholder Scholarship, how it's supported him in his career, as well as his thoughts about how training and development is changing within the hotel industry.

Why are programmes like the Innholder Scholarships so important for people in our industry today?

Because they are essential in supporting the growth and development of our future leaders. Programmes like the Innholder Scholarships give future leaders the opportunity to step outside their day-to-day roles and gain exposure to different ways of thinking, leading and operating.

Programmes like this challenge you to look beyond your own business and learn from other sectors, industries and leaders. They develop strategic thinking, broaden your network and give you the confidence to lead change, all of which are essential for strong leadership.

What advice would you give someone looking to apply for an Innholder Scholarship?

Be authentic and be clear about why you want to undertake the programme. The strongest applications are from those who are genuinely curious, ambitious and committed to developing themselves and the industry.

I would also encourage applicants to think carefully about what they want to learn and how they will apply that learning afterwards. The scholarship is an investment in your future leadership, so demonstrate not only what you hope to gain, but how you intend to use that knowledge to benefit your teams, guests and business.

What is one piece of knowledge/advice you took from the course that you still apply to your work today?

Probably the importance of creating a clear vision and ensuring every member of the team understands how their role contributes to it. I’ve found that when teams understand the bigger picture, they become more engaged, make better decisions and take greater ownership of the guest experience.

How do you feel training and development have changed in the industry since you undertook the Innholder Scholarships yourself?

For starters, it’s a lot more accessible, which is great for those who genuinely want to learn and grow in their career. It is also far more flexible and varied. When I undertook the scholarship, development was often centred around formal programmes and classroom learning. Today, there are many more opportunities to learn through digital platforms, mentoring networks, industry forums and cross-functional experiences.

That said, the fundamentals remain the same. Great leadership still comes from curiosity, self-awareness and a willingness to learn from others. I think we as well are a lot more aware of the benefits that training and development can bring to a team, and how it can be a real driver of performance, retention and long-term success.

You are General Manager at The Cumberland Hotel, which has recently launched the UK’s first Hell’s Kitchen in collaboration with Gordon Ramsay Restaurants. How has your experience as an Innholder Scholar influenced how you approach major projects like Hell’s Kitchen?

The Innholder Scholarship taught me to think strategically while never losing sight of the people who ultimately deliver success. Launching the UK’s first Hell’s Kitchen was a complex project involving multiple stakeholders, a globally recognised brand, significant operational planning and the challenge of creating something truly exceptional for guests.

My experience as an Innholder Scholar reinforced the importance of collaboration, stakeholder engagement and leading through influence rather than simply process. It encouraged me to look beyond the immediate operational challenges and focus on the long-term vision of creating a destination experience that would strengthen The Cumberland’s position in the market.

Perhaps most importantly, the scholarship reinforced that major projects succeed because of people. Ensuring our teams were engaged, informed and excited about the opportunity was just as critical as the physical build or commercial strategy. That focus on leadership, culture and continuous learning remains central to how I approach every significant project today.

Find out more about applying for an Innholder Scholarship here.