Top Tips for Applying for Innholder Scholarships
Each year, the Innholder Scholarships offer the opportunity for rising leaders in the hotel industry to access fully funded world-class education at renowned universities around the world. With applications still open until Thursday 7 August, we reached out to previous recipients of the Innholder Scholarships, the alumni of Innholder Scholars, for their advice in crafting a winning application and how to make the most of the exciting opportunity.
Take your time
“Don’t rush the application process,” advises Grant Campbell MI IS, General Manager at Nobu Hotel London and current Chair of the Innholder Scholars.
“It can be tempting to get your application in early ahead of other applicants, but you want to do all you can to ensure your entry is the best it can be to stand out.”
To help stand out among the competition, it can help to conduct the proper research, as well as having a clear understanding of why you want to apply and what you want to achieve should you be successful, as James McComas IS, General Manager at Champneys Eastwell Manor Hotel & Spa, explains:
"Before filling out the application form, ensure you do your research about the Innholder Scholarships. Understanding the Master Innholders' mission and values so you can tailor your responses accordingly will go a long way in supporting your application.
“With this knowledge, tie it into your own goals and values, highlighting why the Innholder Scholarships are an important opportunity for you and what you hope it will provide you with should you be successful.”
Highlight impact & ambition
Alongside your goals and values, applicants will need to showcase how the scholarship will directly support their growth and ability to contribute to the wider hotel industry.
For David Lockhart IS, now General Manager at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, the scholarship came at a pivotal point:
“I was in the process of working towards my promotion to General Manager, so mentioning my drive and clear goal in my application was very helpful to show I had thought about how I wanted my career to progress and how the Innholder Scholarships would help me with this.
“Once accepted as an Innholder Scholarship recipient, the course curriculum and community throughout gave me all the tools I needed to thrive in that transition to becoming a general manager.”
Lifelong learning
The Innholder Scholarships are a way to support one’s learning and development in the world of hospitality but showing this drive to want to learn and grow is key in showcasing your commitment and drive to better both yourself and the wider hotel industry.
For Rachael Stevens FIH IS, Operations Manager at Manor House, the Talent Development Programme at Cranfield University offered as part of her scholarship provided her with rare opportunities for development:
“The Innholder Scholarships allowed me to delve into leadership capabilities beyond what would have been achievable through routine experience alone. Applicants should highlight their appetite for deep personal and professional growth, as well as how they have developed themselves over the years and throughout their career.”
Echoing the sentiment is Rob Flinter MI IS, Regional General Manager at Westmont Hospitality Group, who credits the scholarship with reshaping his business mindset:
"It opened my eyes to working with high-performing individuals at a crucial stage of my development,” he explains.
“I still refer to my course materials from my studies as part of my scholarship. After all, learning in our industry is always an ongoing process. Showcasing how you have developed yourself outside of just your day-to-day work therefore is key to helping your application stand out.
Interview day
Those shortlisted for an Innholder Scholarship will be invited to attend an interview day at Innholders Hall in London on Wednesday 15 October 2025.
When it comes to the interview, Rachel Angell IS, VP of Client Services EMEA at Blackstone, says that authenticity is the best tool at an applicant’s disposal:
"Think about what got you to where you are and what you want to gain from the scholarship,” she explains.
“Be yourself, be respectful and be confident. They all go a long way in an interview setting.”
As Grant Campbell MI IS summarises:
"The best thing about the Innholder Scholarships is that they’re open to anyone in the hotel industry, from small independents to global brands.
The common thread among recipients is not their job title, but their commitment to leadership, learning, and giving back.
“If you’re a hotel professional with drive, purpose and desire to grow, then the Innholder Scholarships are your opportunity to advance your career in the hotel world.”
Applications for the Innholder Scholarships close on midnight Thursday 7 August 2025.