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UK: The Master Innholders has opened applications for the annual GM of the Future, the Neil Bannister Scholarship, giving one UK hotel professional a fully funded 12-month leadership development programme at Cranfield University, valued at over £15,000.
The successful candidate will undertake the Talent Development Programme – a year-long programme focused on professional development, leadership development, and personal growth. Participants develop skills including strategic thinking, commercial awareness, decision-making, and communication, while building greater confidence and self-awareness as leaders.
Students of the programme are able to complete the programme while continuing to work in their current role.
Applicants may be working towards their first general manager role, or be in the early stages of their leadership journey, typically as either a middle or senior manager.
A prize is also available to the runner-up, which is a place on Cranfield University’s Impact and Influence programme, alongside six 90-minute executive coaching sessions.
Zoe Jenkins, incoming chair of The Master Innholders, said: “We have no shortage of talented people in our industry who have the potential to become brilliant general managers. The challenge is making sure they have access to the development, support and opportunities they need to get there.
“Our people are often expected to learn leadership simply by stepping into increasingly senior roles. But being a great operator and being a great leader require different skills, and those skills need to be developed. The GM of the Future, the Neil Bannister Scholarship helps to bridge that all important gap, giving an emerging leader the opportunity to step back, learn, challenge themselves and prepare for what comes next.”
To apply, candidates must complete an application form, including an endorsement from their line manager. It must be submitted before the deadline of 30 September 2026.
A shortlist will be selected by a judging panel made up of Master Innholders and other industry figures. Those shortlisted will receive a complimentary ticket to the 2027 Hotel Leadership Conference, taking place on 11-12 January at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, including the black-tie dinner on the first evening, where the winner and runner-up will be announced.
Previously known as the GM of the Future Award, the programme was renamed to the Neil Bannister Scholarship in 2025 to honour the late Neil Bannister, a hotelier and Master Innholder who was a longtime advocate for supporting and developing emerging talent in the hotel industry.
Further details about the application process can be found on the website here.
Highlights:
- The Master Innholders has opened applications for the annual GM of the Future, Neil Bannister Scholarship, offering a fully funded 12-month Cranfield University leadership programme valued at over £15,000.
- Targeted at middle and senior hospitality managers pursuing their first general manager position, the flexible Talent Development Programme allows recipients to study alongside their active roles.
- Featuring a runner-up award for Cranfield’s Impact and Influence programme with executive coaching, the application window closes on 30 September 2026.
- Shortlisted nominees will receive tickets to the 2027 Hotel Leadership Conference at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, where the winner will be formally announced.
