Ramon Pajares to step down as a trustee of the Savoy Educational Trust

Industry great Ramon Pajares is retiring as a trustee of the Savoy Educational Trust at the end of this month, a role he has held for 23 years, six of which as chairman.

Founded in 1961, the Savoy Educational Trust is an independent, grant-giving charitable trust which aims to advance and develop education, training and qualifications within the hospitality industry.

Pajares sits on the board of trustees alongside Robert Davis, Howard Field, Dr Sally Messenger, David Taylor and Terry Waldron. Julia Sibley is chief executive.

He said: “A small but significant part of the hospitality industry is today better thanks to the help of The Savoy Educational Trust.

"We motivate young people in our industry to share knowledge and experiences and to learn from each other. We provide financial help for their training and to help them to develop and further their careers.

"My passion and love for this industry made having the financial resources of The Trust, to help our young people, a constant and rewarding experience."

Pajares was at the Four Seasons Hotel London for 22 years, 10 as general manager, turning it into one of the most profitable hotels in the country at the time, and 12 years as the luxury hotel brand’s regional vice president for Europe.

He joined the then Savoy Group of Hotels & Restaurants as managing director in 1994, overseeing the restoration of its hotel portfolio, which included the Savoy, Claridge’s, the Berkeley and the Connaught in London and the Lygon Arms in Broadway, Worcestershire, at a cost of £90m.

The Savoy won the Cateys Hotel of the Year – Group category in 1998, a year before he retired in 1999.

Winner of Hotelier of the Year in 1984, the Cateys Wine Award in 1989 and Special Award in 1997, Pajares also received an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list in 1999.