Hotel Cateys 2017: Hotelier of the Year winner, Sue Williams, Whatley Manor

Sponsored by Casna Groupa

 

The wonderful warmth and professionalism Sue Williams exuded during Hospitality Action's annual cycle challenge in the Cotswolds earlier this year during ‘monsoon' conditions pretty much sums up the way she has approached her 36-year career. Typically, she rolled up her sleeves and provided a hearty welcome and generous hospitality under the most adverse conditions, and calmly dealt with one injured cyclist with the utmost care.

 

In her current role at Whatley Manor, Williams is overseeing considerable change, specifically by transforming the food and beverage outlets. Niall Keating, who was appointed executive chef at the end of last year, won a Michelin star for the hotel in October for the Dining Room, and earlier this month the new Grey’s Brasserie was launched.

 

Room occupancy and rates are being lifted by creating awareness of the hotel’s membership of Pride of Britain and Relais & Chateux, as well as the development of a new website and the introduction of a serious revenue management policy. As a result, Whatley Manor achieved an occupancy of 78% in July, the highest rate since the owners relaunched the hotel in 2003. Average occupancy across 2017 is expected to be 64%, up from 55% last year.

 

Craig Bancroft, last year’s Hotelier of the Year who nominated Williams for this year’s award, says: “I cannot think of anybody more deserving of this award than Sue. She has demonstrated total commitment and dedication to the hospitality industry throughout her many years of being at of the forefront of cutting-edge hotels. She is a consummate and outstanding hotelier, who leads by example and is a top female executive within the industry, who would be very proud of the award and do it complete justice.” He adds that she is “a shining star” in her passionate support and encouragement towards her staff.

 

What the judges said

 

“Sue could not be described as a showy ‘peacock’, but as a peaceful ‘dove’, who is people-orientated, loyal, friendly, hard-working, a great team player and very well respected.” Jonathan Raggett

 

“Sue Williams is the most respected hands-on hotelier, a terrific ambassador for the hotel industry and a highly regarded operator.” Stuart Bowery

 

“Sue is one of the most professional hoteliers. She puts so much back into our industry in a quiet, selfless and unassuming way. Previously an unsung hero, it’s quite rightly her turn to shine.” Danny Pecorelli

 

“Sue embodies a winning combination of warmth and professionalism, but what really marks her out is her unstinting enthusiasm for, and commitment to, the hotels she has worked in, to the industry as a whole, and to the young people starting out in it. She is a great hotelier, a great human being and a great role model.” Fiona Duncan

 

Past winners
2016 Craig Bancroft

 

2015 Nick Jones

 

2014 Danny Pecorelli

 

2013 Stuart Bowery

 

2012 Stuart Johnson

 

2011 Stephen Carter

 

2010 Andrew Stembridge

 

2009 Jonathan Raggett

 

2008 Andrew McKenzie

 

2007 Michael Gray

 

2006 Richard Ball

 

2005 John Stauss

 

2004 Patrick Elsmie

 

2003 Robin Hutson

 

2002 Gordon Campbell Gray

 

2001 Karen Earp

 

2000 Peter Crome

 

1999 Nick Ryan

 

1998 Nicholas Rettie

 

1997 Peter Lederer

 

1996 Chris Rouse

 

1995 Ricci Obertelli

 

1994 David Levin

 

1993 Ken McCulloch

 

1992 Dagmar Woodward

 

1991 Martin Skan

 

1990 George Goring

 

1989 Grete Hobbs

 

1988 Ronald Jones

 

1987 Eion Dillon

 

1986 Harry Murray

 

1985 Terry Holmes

 

1984 Ramón Pajares

 

1983 Richard Edwards