The Institute of Hospitality (IoH), the leading global professional body for hospitality managers and aspiring professionals, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 28th August 2025. The event brought together members and partners to reflect on a year of achievement and to look ahead with optimism, set against the challenging backdrop of a sector that has seen 89,000 job losses (in the UK) since October.
The AGM was a timely opportunity to celebrate the resilience of the profession and the progress made in strengthening the Institute’s role as the global voice for hospitality managers.
Chief Executive Robert Richardson FIH MI opened proceedings by reaffirming the IoH’s commitment to its five strategic priorities: driving membership and engagement, ensuring financial stability, advancing education and accreditation, enhancing brand value, and delivering industry support with wider impact. Central to this vision remains the Institute’s application for Chartered Status, which, once achieved, will represent a historic milestone for the profession and secure greater recognition for hospitality managers both in the UK and internationally.
A key theme of the year was the continued expansion of professional development resources for members. The IoH delivered a record programme of learning opportunities in 2024, including an enhanced series of webinars on timely issues such as budgeting and cash flow, age-friendly employment, and regulatory updates for the security sector.
The official IoH podcast reached listeners in more than 60 countries, providing a platform for professionals at every stage of their career to share experiences and insights. Meanwhile, the Institute’s magazine and white paper series tackled some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, from managing the cost-of-living crisis to sustainability and workforce engagement.
The Institute’s flagship student conference, Passion4Hospitality, achieved its highest attendance to date, welcoming nearly 800 delegates. With a packed programme of speakers, workshops, competitions, and networking opportunities, the event once again bridged the gap between education and employment, inspiring the next generation of hospitality leaders. Through the support of the Savoy Educational Trust, the Institute was also able to subsidise travel for students from across the UK, ensuring accessibility for all regardless of financial or geographical barriers.
2024 further strengthened the IoH’s global presence. Accreditation and endorsement services supported over 1,100 programmes across 24 countries, underpinning the Institute’s reputation for quality assurance and international credibility. Engagement also deepened through collaborations in Switzerland, India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and the UAE, while the UK remained at the heart of outreach through regional events, roundtables, and networking sessions.
The IoH also reinforced its position as a respected voice in policy development, contributing to government consultations, participating in All-Party Parliamentary Groups, and supporting vocational training initiatives with the Ministry of Defence, Ofqual, and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. Partnerships with organisations including Hospitality Action, Springboard, the Night Time Industries Association, and the Master Innholders further strengthened the Institute’s cross-sector collaboration.
The AGM reflected on the Institute’s growing portfolio of initiatives promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. These included the continued success of the Funded Membership (Bursary) Scheme, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented individuals from accessing IoH membership, and the expansion of Hearts in Hospitality, an initiative which shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the sector.
In addition to its charitable objectives, the IoH continued to give back to the wider hospitality community through financial and practical support for sector charities. In 2024, the Institute contributed £6,600 in direct donations to organisations including Hospitality Action and Springboard. A further £10,175 of “in kind” support was provided, from raising the profile of sector charities through IoH platforms to offering discounted accreditation and endorsement services. Beneficiaries included The Clink, Room to Reward, La Foundation, and The Crumbs Project. Taken together, the Institute’s support totalled £16,775, with The Clink receiving the greatest level of contribution.
Reflecting on the year, Robert Richardson FIH MI said: “2024 has been a year defined by progress and collaboration. Despite the well-documented challenges facing our sector, the Institute of Hospitality has remained steadfast in its mission: to support, recognise, and empower hospitality professionals at every stage of their journey. Our AGM celebrated the achievements of our global Hospitality Family, and we look forward with confidence as we continue our journey towards Chartered Status.”
As the IoH looks ahead to 2025, its focus remains firmly on supporting its members through professional development, inclusivity, and global collaboration. By celebrating the achievements of 2024 while acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, the Institute reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that hospitality continues to thrive as one of the UK’s most vital industries and a powerful force for good in communities worldwide.
