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The Master Innholders have welcomed the Institute of Hospitality’s CEO, Robert Richardson, as the charity’s latest honorary master innholder, a position that is said to be held only by a handful of members.
It is reported that Richardson was presented with his honorary master innholder membership by The Viscount Thurso, master of the Worshipful Company of Innholders (WCI), at the recent Master Innholders dinner.
As a result of his membership, he now joins the “elite” rank of approximately 150 Master Innholders, which are all said to be prominent past or current hoteliers, dedicated and committed to promoting best practices across the industry.
Harry Murray, past MI chair and current HOSPA president, said: “I am delighted that Robert has been made an honorary member of the Master Innholders. As a previous hotel practitioner for more than 5 years, Robert had all the right credentials to qualify for membership. When Robert was appointed IoH CEO, it was the tipping point for the institute.
“The IoH under Elizabeth Gadsby played a huge role in the formation of the Master Innholders, prior to the launch as a founding partner with the WCI in 1978. Following Robert’s appointment, I felt it was the ideal time to renew the partnership to develop the next generation of hospitality leaders and to support the IoH’s application for charter recognition.”
He added: “I celebrated 40 years as an MI this year and I am sure Robert and the new chairman of The Master Innholders, Dan Rose-Bristow FIH MI, will work together in the interest of our great industry.”
Richardson said: “Having spent most of my career as a hotelier, leading some incredible teams, I was extremely pleased, and immensely surprised, to be invited to become an honorary master innholder.
“The Institute and the Master Innholders have a long and shared history, and in these times of extreme challenge and extreme opportunity, it is only right that we work in collaboration to support our hospitality family, and the generations of it yet to come.”
He added: “I am also delighted that all Master Innholders are awarded a fellowship of the IoH in recognition of their service to our amazing industry.”
