New chairman appointed for Master Innholders

The Master Innholders last week named Stuart Bowery, general manager at Grosvenor House, as their new chairman at the AGM. Bowery, who has been a Master Innholder since 2007, takes over from Jonathan Raggett, managing director of Red Carnation Hotels, to lead the group of recognised hoteliers into its 39th year. The new chairman will be supported by the Master Innholders executive committee and newly appointed vice chairman Danny Pecorelli, managing director of Exclusive Hotels and Venues. Bowery was appointed general manager of Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel, in May 2011 and before that spent most of his career within the Marriott International brand. He then joined the Master Innholders executive committee in 2012 and shortly after was named 2013 Hotelier of the Year by The Caterer. Speaking of his appointment, Bowery said: “I am honoured to become the new chairman and I look forward to leading the finest hoteliers in the country through a very exciting time - 2018 will mark the Master Innholders’ 40th anniversary since the formation by Derek Balls in 1978. “My focus for the next two years is to work with the executive committee to promote and grow the Master Innholders membership with hoteliers who actively give back to the industry and deliver excellence on all levels. I also look forward to forging strong links with the Worshipful Company of Innholders.” Over the past two years, outgoing chairman Jonathan Raggett has worked with the committee and board to reinvigorate the organisation’s communications strategy and champion the Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma and Master Innholder Scholarships, which fund and support the career progression of professionals within the hospitality industry. Raggett adds: “It’s been a great honour and privilege to be chairman, especially during the 500th anniversary of the Worshipful Company celebrations. I’m very proud that over the last two years we’ve seen the continued success of the Aspiring Leaders Diploma, a record number of applications for our Master Innholder Scholarships and the annual General Managers’ Conference, which continues to be at the forefront of industry trends, strategy and leadership." The Master Innholders will be exhibiting at the Independent Hotel Show in October and hosting its General Managers’ Conference on 16-17 January 2016 at the Hilton London Bankside.