Cadogan hotel’s Toru Machida appointed president of the Golden Keys Society

Toru Machida, head concierge at the Cadogan hotel in London, has taken over the role of president of the Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth from Madeleine Calon.

Calon, head concierge at the 60-bedroom, five-red-AA-star St James's hotel in London, held the position for the past three years.

Machida has worked at the 54-bedroom Cadogan, a Belmond hotel, and served as the vice-president of the society since 2018. He also previously held the same role at London establishments including the Savoy and Shangri-La at the Shard.

He began his hotel career at the Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf as a housekeeping porter, moving onto luggage porter, doorman and concierge clerk. He joined the London Marriott West India Quay in 2004 as a concierge and was promoted to assistant head concierge in 2005. He also held the same role at the Connaught.

Machida said: “I am incredibly honoured to be named as the 21st president of the Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth. Despite the most challenging time in our history, Madeleine remained strong and served out her term with dedication. My diverse committee and I are now devoted to continuing on her path and strengthening the society enthusiastically. When international travel returns, Les Clefs d’Or concierge will be ready to welcome our guests into our hotel lobbies once again.”

Calon added: “This new era of life for the hospitality industry will have its difficult and challenging times; however, all members of the Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth are confident that under the leadership of Toru and his committee, the society will scale new heights and become much stronger.”

The society was founded in London in 1952 and was one of the founding members of the UICH (Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hôtels) Les Clefs d'Or, which aims to encourage friendships and networks among concierges and provide development and training.