Eighteen talented hotel professionals have been provided a place on the hospitality industry’s leading educational programme for aspiring hotel managers, the Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma.
Now in its 13th year and three-time winner of the prestigious Princess Royal Training Award, the Aspiring Leaders Diploma will see the eighteen students receive specialised training as part of a twelve-month development programme, with students receiving the internationally recognised Level 5 Award from the Institute of Leadership & Management.
Each module of the programme will be held at various prestigious hotels across the UK, with modules led by leading hotel managers and professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in the industry, all overseen and managed by Dr Hilary Cooke PhD FIH MI, principal owner at Merlin Business Consultancy Ltd.
The new 2025 Aspiring Leaders include:
- Naomi Hofmeyer, Guest Relations Manager, Hilton London Bankside
- Adrien Lecerf, Front Office Manager, The Goring
- Megan Murphy, Reception Operations Manager, The Montague On The Gardens Hotel
- Ayoub Nadji, Events Operations Manager, JW Marriott Grosvenor House London
- Erika Natalini, Reception Manager, The Savoy
- Jade Whelan, Marketing & Events Operations Manager, Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
- Rosie Wilkins, Deputy General Manager, The Pig In The South Downs
- Natalia Chemaitelli, Reception Manager, Foxhills Country Club
- Ashna Patel, Food & Beverage Outlets Manager, Fairmont, Windsor Park
- Anastasia Barnes, Front Of House Manager, Watergate Bay Hotel
- Emma Costello, Deputy Front Office Manager, The Gilpin Hotel & Lakehouse
- Michaela Farr, House Manager, Fowey Hall Hotel & Spa
- Chloe Lupson, Operations Manager , Harbour Hotel Salcombe
- Matthew Maylin, Front Of House Manager, Champneys Mottram Hall
- Danielle Mottram, House Manager, Seaham Hall Hotel & Serenity Spa
- Ryan Parry-Jones, Front Of House Manager, The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff
- Kai Sinkevicius, Assistant Operations Manager, The Headland Hotel & Spa, Newquay
- Cherry Spicer, Guest Relations Manager, Homewood Hotel & Spa
Commenting on the announcement of the new cohort, Dr Hilary Cooke PhD. FIH MI said: “Now more than ever, our industry needs to invest in not just future talent but those that will also go on to become the leaders in our field.
“The Aspiring Leaders Diploma is therefore a vital initiative to help give those hoteliers with the talent and drive to become leaders in their line of work the support and skills they need in order to do so.”
The eighteen students will begin their studies later this month as they undertake the first of the eight modules, beginning with a focus on professional development. Other modules throughout the year will focus on areas such as people management, motivating teams, leadership development and more.
Each module will take place at prestigious UK hotel properties led by various hoteliers, with hotels such as Coworth Park, Cliveden House, Southampton Harbour Hotel, The Grand Hotel York, Rudding Park, The Headland Newquay and The Orchard Hotel Nottingham all hosting this year.
Speaking on the Aspiring Leaders Diploma, James B. Clarke MI, Chair of the Master Innholders, said: “The enthusiasm and drive showcased from all of our new cohort is both inspiring and exciting to witness.
“The Aspiring Leaders Diploma is just one of the ways we as the Master Innholders are investing in the leaders of the future, and I look forward to seeing what our new cohort achieves throughout the programme and beyond.”
For more information about the Aspiring Leaders Diploma, please visit here.
