Register to get 3 free articles
Register to unlock the article and receive our free newsletter. Join 26,000 other hotel leaders and stay in the know.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
An international organisation designed to raise the profile of hotel general managers has been launched in Dubai.
The Honourable Order of International General Managers (HOIHGM) will aim to raise the profile of hotel general managers and provide a range of benefits, such as portable healthcare and insurance options.
The association was founded by Leon Larkin, an Australian national with over 40 years experience as a general manager across some of the world’s leading hotels in Europe, Asia and Australia.
Larkin said: “Since my retirement, I have been in the privileged position of building an organisation that is dedicated to the greater good of the hotel general management fraternity and allows me to leave a legacy that will benefit GMs and their employers for years to come.
“The more members we attract the more we can offer and I hope people will join us knowing that together we have a chance to change the future of our industry forever.”
[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””]
Mr. Larkin is supported in his role as president by an international board of governors, comprising 11 high-profile alumni from the global hospitality industry including:
- Richard Hartman – non-executive director for Jumeirah Group
- Giovanni Angelini – Former CEO of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts and knighted by the Italian government
- Heikki Julin – deputy chairman of the board of directors at Olympia Air Travel, Captain in the Finnish Defence Force
- Joseph A. McInerney – Emeritus president and CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association
- Kees Hartzuiker – CEO, Roya International Dubai
- Peter Thompson – Former Starwood vice-president for Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand
- Philip Carruthers – Former regional MD for Orient-Express Hotels
- Hans Olbertz – Board member of Steigenberger Hotels and hospitality consultant
- Prue Leith CBE – Restaurateur, author, businesswoman, philanthropist and former board member of Belmond
- Ruth Hunt – Hotelier, entrepreneur and former proprietor of Combe House Devon, UK, soon to be The Pig at Combe.
- Erhard Hotter – Industry veteran for over 40 years in Australia and Asia, former Starwood VP and MD for South Asia.
[/box]
Membership for the association will be open to all hotel general managers, those who have previously served in the position, owners and operators, as well as retirees and aspiring young professionals.
Later this year, HOIHGM will host its debut world congress in Dubai on the topic of hotel security and featuring awards such as ‘International Hotel General Manager of the Year’ and a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
