Eighteen junior managers from the UK hospitality industry have been awarded a place on the Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma.
The following successful applicants will begin study on 10 April:
• Adam Ainsworth, Assistant Manager, Donnington Valley Hotel
• Christopher Bancroft, Front Office Duty Manager, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa
• Judy Bonizzi, Assistant Guest Services Manager, Hyatt Regency – The Churchill
• Darren Cartwright, Front of House Manager, Great Fosters
• Stephanie Davis, Operations Manager, Limewood Hotel
• James Fleming, Reception Shift Leader, The Berkeley
• Alex Golding, Assistant Restaurant Manager, Rudding Park Hotel
• Kia Hellens, Reception Manager, The Georgian House Hotel
• Adam Hersey, Conferences & Events Operations Manager, Doubletree by Hilton, Milton Keynes
• Koula Michaelides, F&B Coordinator, The Ritz London
• Sigthor Oskarsson, Reception Manager, London Hilton, Park Lane
• Peter Redden, Assistant F&B Manager, Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa
• Lina Slekyte, Assistant HR & Training Manager, Metropolitan by COMO, London
• Christopher Strøm, Night Manager, Grosvenor House
• Sarah Tregoning, Head of Events, Renaissance St Pancras
• Karen Weisheit, Deputy Restaurant Manager, Cliveden House Hotel
• Kirsty Whitwell, Head Housekeeper, Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa
• Riad Ziadi, Head Chef, Brown’s Hotel
The Master Innholders has partnered with Merlin Consultancy to deliver the programme which is linked to the Institute of Leadership and Management Level 3 Award. The course is delivered in eight two-day sessions across a 12 month period and focuses on business management, business marketing and sales, human resource management, consumer management, finance and business planning, legislative management, professional development, and leadership.
Developed in 2012, the diploma has quickly become a sought-after qualification for junior level supervisors and managers. Delivered across a variety of world-class venues and hotels, the diploma is designed to give students the underpinning knowledge to better lead their teams while at the same time enabling them to expand their awareness of the industry.
Speaking at the Master Innholders General Managers’ Conference in January, Aspiring Leaders Diploma graduate, Jonathan Scoble, conference and beverage manager at Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel, said: “There is no doubt in my mind that the diploma has played a key part in my career and has most certainly helped me achieve and carry out my duties for my present position here.
“As with many others in the industry, I did not take any formal hospitality qualifications, but instead chose to work my way up through the business, learning the skills and knowledge as I have progressed.
“At the end of each module I have returned back to work at the Grosvenor House, feeling rejuvenated, full of enthusiasm and positive energy, trying to implement all that I had learned.
“Part of the Master Innholders Aspiring Leader Diploma is about meeting other professionals working in the industry, swapping tips and sharing stories. Having others from all around the UK available to answer any question I may face in my career is invaluable.”
Shortlisted applicants for the 2016 intake were interviewed at Innholders Hall, London, in relation to their careers, education, aspirations, personal lives and ambitions by four judges: Hilary Cooke MIH, director of the Merlin Consultancy and MIALD course leader; Petra Clayton FIH, managing director of Custard Communications; David Connell MIH, general manager at South Lodge and Miles Pooley MI, chief executive of RAF Club.
Commenting on the judging process, Hilary Cooke said: “The high quality of applications we received meant we had a difficult task arriving at our final decision and I would like to thank everyone who put forward an application for this year’s programme.
“It’s invigorating to see so many people who are passionate about the industry we work in and the Aspiring Leaders Diploma will help them to achieve great things as an individual and as part of a team.”
For more information about the Aspiring Leaders Diploma, please visit www.masterinnholders.co.uk/aspiring-leaders-diploma.