Jonathan Raggett FIH MI, managing director of Red Carnation Hotels, has been formally appointed Chairman of the Master Innholders. His appointment was announced at the Master Innholders AGM. Raggett takes over from Chewton Glen and Cliveden House managing director Andrew Stembridge FIH MI.
Enthusiasm and a dynamic approach
As a dedicated supporter of the hospitality industry, Raggett will bring enthusiasm and a dynamic approach to raising the profile of the work of the Master Innholders. In the past two years of his chairmanship, Stembridge has worked with the committee and board to promote the output of the Master Innholders and in particular to reinvigorate communication and participation to help improve the reputation of the hotel industry.
Raggett was appointed managing director of Red Carnation Hotels in 2000, having initially joined the fledgling company as general manager of The Rubens at the Palace Hotel and Hotel 41, in 1999. At the time of his appointment, Red Carnation Hotels ran five hotels in London and one in the US. The company now comprises 17 four and five-star hotels in London, Dorset, Guernsey, Ireland, Geneva, South Africa and Palm Beach, as well as a standalone restaurant and bar and a country inn.
In 2012, Red Carnation Hotels debuted on The Sunday Times ‘Top 100 Best Companies To Work For’, at number 71. The company has since risen the ranks to achieve a number 8 position.
With his great passion and enthusiasm for the hospitality industry, Raggett was proud to become a Master Innholder in 2008. He has been a mentor for students undertaking tourism studies at Oxford Brooks and is a Trustee for Hospitality Action. In 2009, he was named Caterer & Hotelkeeper’s Hotelier of the Year and in 2012 he came 39th on their list of the Top 100 People in Hospitality.
Raggett actively seeks opportunities to promote the industry to young people. He chaired the committee responsible for the introduction of the Aspiring Leaders programme, which has now been running for three years. He also provides mentoring to a St Julian Scholar, a graduate of the Master Innholders Scholarship programme.
Raggett is keen to continue Andrew’s work in driving awareness of both the MI scholarship programme and the MI Aspiring Leaders Diploma, both of which support one of the goals of the Master Innholders to provide and support leaders of the future for the hotel industry.
Peter Hancock honoured
The AGM was followed by the Master Innholders Annual Dinner at the Worshipful Company of Innholders Hall in London. It was during this dinner that Peter Hancock, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels, accepted an honorary membership to the Master Innholders for his “infectious and valued contribution to the industry”.
Hancock became chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels in 2000. Before this he was group publishing director at Johansens and was a hotel general manager in his early career. Hancock is a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, a fellow of the Tourism Society, an honorary St Julian Scholar and winner of the 2012 Diamond Award from the Academy of Food & Wine Service, of which he is also a fellow.
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