Harry Murray steps down as chairman of Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa

It has been announced that Harry Murray stepped down on 31 December 2021 as chairman of Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa after 25 years of service.

Murray was appointed managing director of the 42-bedroom property in 1997, where he helped to develop the hotel from four AA stars to five red AA stars with a Michelin-starred restaurant. He became chairman in 2010, the year the hotel won the Independent Hotel of the Year Catey and AA Independent Hotel of the Year. Sakis Dinas is general manager of the hotel.

Murray's awards include an MBE for services to the hospitality industry, 1986 Hotelier of the Year, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 Cateys, an AA Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award, an honorary MBA at the University of West London and an Honorary Degree of Doctor at the University of Essex.

Murray, who celebrates 40 years as a Master Innholder this year, will focus on mentoring and helping to coach and inspire the next generation of hospitality leaders. He will continue as president of HOSPA and as an ambassador and patron of Hospitality Action, Springboard, Be Inclusive Hospitality, Institute of Hospitality and the Hoteliers Guild. He will also continue supporting UKHospitality and remain in his position as a governor of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.

He said: “My time at Lucknam Park has been an enjoyable and memorable journey and any success I have achieved both personally and at the hotel is due to the full support of the owners, directors, and a highly motivated and skilled team. I depart with a feeling of great pride as the hotel was recently named UK’s Best Hotel in Conde Nast 2021 Readers Choice Award. I wish the owners, directors and the team continued success.”