The Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA) has announced the shortlist for its highly anticipated Inspirational Leader Awards, which will be presented at its annual HOSPACE event in November.
The awards celebrate outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the UK hospitality sector, going above and beyond and inspiring those around them through innovation, leadership and dedication to excellence.
For the 2025 awards, HOSPA has unveiled the finalists across five categories, which recognise leaders in revenue management, technology, finance, ESG and commercial success. The awards honour those who have demonstrated exceptional skill, vision and influence, setting new standards across the industry.
The shortlisted candidates for the 2025 Inspirational Leader Awards are as follows:
Inspirational Revenue Manager Of The Year Award
Sponsored by Right Revenue and Edwards & Finn
- Jeremie Dardard, Head of Revenue & Distribution, Cheval Collection
- Louise Clarke, Revenue Director, Valor Hospitality
- Rebecca Downey, Head of Managed Retail and Digital Marketing, Robinsons Brewery
Inspirational Technology Leader Of The Year Award
Sponsored by Exponential-e
- Gavin Allison, Global Head of IT, Lore Group
- Mustafa Gokcen, Global Head of IT, Cheval Collection
- Tom Rimmer, Group EVP – Technology, Ennismore
Inspirational Finance Leader Of The Year Award
Sponsored by BDO
- Emma Flynn, Operations Finance Director, LGH Hotels Management
- Emma McMillan, Head of Operational Finance, Clermont Hotel Group
- Jans Mazurs, Regional Director of Finance, Grosvenor House Suites
Inspirational ESG Leader Of The Year Award
Sponsored by Clean The World
- Degraft Osei Kwame Jnr, Back Of House Manager & ESG Lead, The Berkeley Hotel
- Hanna Moore, Head of Operations Thistle Hotels, Clermont Hotels
- Mark Cox, Director of Engineering, Cheval Collection
Inspirational Commercial Leader Of The Year Award
Sponsored by Infor & Touchstone Group
- Katie Niland, Commercial Director, The Belfry Hotel & Resort
- Rachael Leister, Head of Marketing, Estate Escapes (formerly Devonshire Hotels)
- Takunda Dingembira, Head of Commercial Finance, Dakota Hotels
Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA, said: “These individuals truly represent the very best of the hospitality industry. Their innovation, dedication and commitment within their respective fields of expertise are exemplary, and they serve as powerful role models for the future leaders of our sector. We are delighted to recognise their hard work and contributions through these awards and are very much looking forward to announcing the winners at HOSPACE.”
The winners will be announced at the HOSPACE Gala Awards Dinner, which will take place at the Royal Lancaster London on Thursday, 13 November 2025. The awards ceremony is a highlight of the annual HOSPACE conference, which brings together more than 600 hospitality professionals for a day of inspiring talks, panel discussions and networking opportunities.
