By Angela Green, Content Executive, H&C News: IoH confirms retirement of President.
The IoH has confirmed that Mr Surinder Arora FIH, will retire as IoH President on 31 December.
Mr Arora FIH, Founder and Chairman of the Arora Hotel Group, has been in the role for 3 years and has been an avid supporter of the many changes that IoH CEO Robert Richardson FIH MI has implemented since Robert joined as CEO in Spring 2021.
Making the announcement, Robert Richardson FIH MI said: “I would like to thank Surinder on behalf of the Institute and its members, for his years of service to the IoH and to hospitality as a whole. He has been extremely supportive and encouraging and will remain part of our extended hospitality family as the IoH moves to the next chapter of its evolution. As recognition of Surinder’s invaluable support, it has given us great pleasure to award him a lifelong Fellowship of the Institute.”
Surinder Arora FIH, Founder and Chairman of the privately operated Arora Group, which includes the Arora hotel chain and one of Britain’s richest men, amassing a £1.26billion fortune said: “It has been a pleasure seeing the Institute grow and develop under Robert. I have a wealth of happy memories in my role as IoH President, but now is the right time to retire.”
Surinder who arrived in the UK as a teenager, founded his business in 1999, running a four-star hotel at Heathrow for airline staff. From there, he built a business based on strong principles of enterprise, including purchasing the Renaissance London Heathrow hotel in 2012, where he worked as a waiter in the 1970s.
The Arora Group now owns and manages a diverse portfolio of assets across Britain’s key business locations, with a major presence at some of the UK’s key airports.
In July 2017, Surinder made his Heathrow Expansion vision public by announcing the Arora Group’s plans on Heathrow West. A project that was delayed due to the pandemic but which he continues to drive forward.
Surinder and his wife Sunita are also co-founders of the Arora Charitable Foundation, supporting social responsibility initiatives in the UK and overseas. Since its inception, the foundation has raised over £3 million.
Surinder concluded: “I wish Robert, Kellie Rixon MBE FIH, the Board and the IoH team the best of luck and success as they continue their journey and aspirations for Chartered Status next year. The whole team have my ongoing support.”