Madeleine Calon appointed first female president of the Golden Keys Society

Madeleine Calon of the St James's hotel in London has been appointed the first female president of the Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.

She takes over from Antony Lynch of the Hilton London Kensington hotel, who steps down after four years.

Originally from Liverpool, Calon is the head concierge at the 60-bedroom, five-red-AA-star St. James's hotel, and is one of only 15 females within the 386-strong Golden Keys in Great Britain. She was the first British woman to become a member in 1996.

Calon began her career as a guest liaison officer at the Cumberland hotel in London before moving to the Waldorf hotel as guest relations manager. She was later appointed assistant head concierge at the Cavendish hotel in 1996, then moved to the Berkeley hotel in 2002, also as assistant head concierge. In 2003 she was promoted to concierge services manager.

Calon joined the St James's hotel as head concierge in 2008 prior to it reopening following a major refurbishment.

She has served as secretary, associate liaison and vice-president of the Golden Keys Society, and will represent Great Britain and the Commonwealth on the board of directors of Les Clefs d'Or at its annual international congress.

The Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth 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 amongst concierges, and provide development and training.

Madeleine Calon becomes first female to be appointed to board of The Society of Golden Keys >>

Simon Thomas of the Lanesborough to head Les Clefs d’Or >>

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