Harry Murray MBE steps down as Lucknam Park chairman

Harry Murray MBE, the president of HOSPA, has stepped down as the chairman of Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa after 25 years of service. He was first appointed managing director of the site in 1997, and in this role, helped to develop the hotel from AA Four Black Stars to AA Five Red Stars with a Michelin Star Restaurant and a “world-class” spa. He later became chairman in 2010, the year the hotel won the ‘AA Independent Hotel of the Year’. The hotel, which is a member of Relais and Chateaux and Pride of Britain, features 42 bedrooms and suites, and has six deluxe cottages, with two more opening this year. Throughout his career, Murray has managed luxury international hotels across five decades and has been recognised with numerous awards for his efforts to raise standards of excellence and to “inspire the next generation of hospitality leaders”. His awards include an MBE for services to the hospitality industry, AA Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award, an Honorary MBA at The University of West London, and an Honorary Degree of Doctor at the University of Essex. Murray will also celebrate 40 years as a Master Innholder this year. Going forward, Murray will focus on mentoring and helping to coach and inspire the next generation of hospitality leaders, and will continue as president of HOSPA, as well as ambassador and patron at Hospitality Action, Springboard, Be Inclusive Hospitality, Institute of Hospitality, and the Hoteliers Guild. He will also continue supporting UK Hospitality and remain in his position as a Governor of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts. Murray said: “My time at Lucknam Park has been an enjoyable and memorable journey and any success I have achieved both personally and at the hotel is due to the full support of the owners, directors, and a highly motivated and skilled team. “I depart with a feeling of great pride as the hotel was recently named UK’s Best Hotel in Conde Nast 2021 Readers Choice Award. I wish the owners, directors and the team continued success.”