By Angela Green
The bespoke 85th Anniversary Highball Cocktail, specially created by Spirit Cartel, welcomed over 320 guests at this year’s sold-out IoH Annual Dinner & Awards 2023 at the London Hilton Bankside.
Industry people from across the UK, Europe, Asia and the Americas travelled to join the Institute and help it celebrate its 85th year anniversary and applaud the winners and finalists of the seven IoH industry awards.
Sony Award-winning radio presenter Paul Coyte compered the evening, with Robert Richardson FIH MI IoH CEO welcoming guests and recalling how far the Institute had progressed through the past 85 years in his opening speech.
As Richardson explained: “Since 1938 we have continued to evolve as an organisation. Despite having its London office destroyed by a bomb during the Blitz of World War II, it didn’t stop our organisation’s determination to continue and progress.
He continued: “It was in 1971 the Institutional Management Association joined forces with the Hotel and Catering Institute to form the Hotel & Catering Institutional Management Association, or HCIMA as it became known. And in 1973 two Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Innholders began to explore ways to re-ignite a direct link with the hotel industry, which also had strong links to the HCIMA. After discussions with the Director of the HCIMA Elizabeth Gadsby, they put forward detailed proposals for the launch of the Master Innholders Award in 1977. And with the full support of the WCI and the HCIMA, it led to the formation of the Master Innholders in June 1978. A bond and special relationship that still exists today.”
With an outstanding calibre of entrants this year from all corners of the world, there were special thanks to those who had travelled from overseas specifically to attend the event.
One IoH Fellow, Marissa Renuka Jayamanne FIH UK, FCHSGA, MISM, past chair of IoH Sri Lanka and now CEO of Hospitality Management & Consultancy Associates, had flown in specially from Sri Lanka and received ‘The Chief Executives Special Award’ for her service, along with a special cake to celebrate her birthday.
This year’s winners were presented with their awards by the Chair of the IoH Board of Trustees, Kellie Rixon MBE FIH, IoH President The Rt Hon. the Viscount Thurso FIH MI and IoH CEO Robert Richardson FIH MI.
The IoH 85th Anniversary Annual Dinner & Award 2023 Winners were:
Best Educational Programme 2023 (SME), Sponsored by HIT Training – The Clink Charity.
Best Educational Programme 2023 – Large Business, Sponsored by HIT Training – University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
Talent Development Team of the Year (SME) 2023, Sponsored by Caterer.com – Yummy Jobs.
Talent Development Team of the Year 2023 Large Business, Sponsored by Caterer.com – Galvin At Windows Restaurant & 10° Sky Bar.
The Gregory De La Peña-Hall MIH, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Employer of the Year Award 2023, Sponsored by Blue Badge Access Awards – Compass Group UK & Ireland.
Outstanding Contribution to the Industry, Sponsored by Caterer.com – Adrian Ellis MI FIH.
Outstanding Achievement Award 2023 – Irantha Duwage MIH.
Magicians entertained guests as they enjoyed the outstanding service, food and wines, and guests were delighted to extend their gratitude to all the team at the Hilton London Bankside during the Santé de chef et du service.
Martin Traynor OBE FIH, UK Government’s Small Business Crown Representative, gave an informative keynote address and provided an overview of his own work in the SME community, working in hospitality and the importance of the industry to the UK economy.
Richardson closed the evening with a long list of thank yous which included, the IoH’s President, IoH Chair of the Trustees, compere Paul Coyte, the event sponsors, the venue, supporters, guests, and the industry at large, confirming: “Without our worldwide membership, our sponsors and supporters we wouldn’t have achieved 85 years of service to this incredible industry. As we move forward and write the next chapter of the Institute’s history, I am proud to report we have successfully made our application for Chartered Status to His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council and have already received positive feedback. With the support of our members and industry we will continue to progress and make great things happen.
He concluded: “In the words of the visionary Walt Disney, ‘Progress is impossible without change. And if you can dream it, you can do it’.”
H&C News were delighted to attend the event. Denis Sheehan, Publisher, H&C News said: “It is evident that under the leadership of CEO Robert Richardson the Institute of Hospitality is in good hands. Since Robert took up the post just over two years ago, it has and continues to be led in a very positive direction. This is not only good for the institute, it is good for our whole industry.”
