UK: Jeremy Goring, the fourth generation of his family to run The Goring Hotel in London’s Belgravia, has won the inaugural Independent Hotelier of the Year award.
The award was voted for by visitors to the Independent Hotel Show 12 and its website. Goring triumphed over a shortlist of hoteliers which was selected by a nomination committee of hospitality experts (see below).
At a ceremony held after the first day of the IHS12 exhibition, Goring’s victory was announced by TV chef – and independent hotelier – Rick Stein.
Goring was unable to collect the award in person as he was in Australia on a sales trip, but said: “We at The Goring are over the moon to have been given this award. Running an independent hotel is so different from being part of a bigger organization because you live and die on your own successes and failures. You have freedoms that aren’t accorded the big hotel chains, so you can deliver a much more individual experience – but that extra licence you are given can lead to much bigger disasters too. So it’s really nice that a whole show is being dedicated to this sector.”
Tim Etchells, managing director of SME London Ltd, the show organiser, said: “The importance of a new award recognising the contribution made by independent hoteliers cannot be underestimated. Having researched this sector and recognizing a gap in the market for the Independent Hotel Show, we quickly realized how under-celebrated independent hoteliers are. So many carry out outstanding work and we felt the time was right to celebrate their contribution with a special award. We’re delighted that hoteliers from all over the UK voted and we know we have a fitting winner.”
The nominees were:
• Christoph Brooke, founder and managing director of Hillbrooke Hotels
• Gordon Campbell Gray, chairman of CampbellGray Hotels
• Alex & Katie Clarke, The George in Rye
• Jeremy Goring, CEO the Goring
• Robin Hutson, The Limewood Group and The Pig
• Edmund and Charles Inkin, EatDrinkSleep
• Paul Milsom, chairman and MD, Milsom Hotels
• Mark Sainsbury, co-owner of The Zetter Group
• Andrew Stembridge, managing director of Chewton Glen
• Rebecca Whittington, Emma Stratton and Deborah Wakefield, co-owners of The Bedruthan and The Scarlet
Nomination committee:
• Fiona Duncan, Sunday Telegraph’s ‘Hotel Guru’
• Henrietta Green, consultant, The Independent Hotel Show
• David Hancock, Sawdays and Room at the Inn
• James Lohan, co-founder, Mr & Mrs Smith
• George Sell, editor, Boutique Hotel News
www.independenthotelshow.co.uk
