Cateys 2025: Education and Training Award: Edward Gallier, Leonardo Hotels

The Catey judges were totally wowed by Edward Gallier’s achievements in educating the hospitality industry for more than 35 years. The head of learning and development at Leonardo Hotels goes far beyond his job description to help and influence the next generation of employees.

Through his energy, personality and enthusiasm, Gallier is influential within Leonardo Hotels at C-suite level, both within hotel operations and outside the organisation. He uses that influence to drive workplace learning opportunities and build lasting relationships between employers, educators and students.

For instance, he is working with Derby University on case study design and on delivering experiential learning with colleagues on campus. Through this he leads students in on-site research, engages with local managers to review assignment content, supports work placements and mentoring. and is on the employer advisory panel.

Within Tameside College, Gallier helps to provide both local placements for junior students in Manchester as well as an innovative two-week residential placement for students to live and work in Leonardo Hotels’ sites in London. This is structured to build quality experience for students’ CVs, provide links to college education and build confidence, resilience and life skills. This year will be the second edition of the programme.

In London he works with Pan Out2, giving students the opportunity to experience a hotel work environment. He and his colleagues share their job roles and careers with students which have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who may find it challenging to gain a workplace role after education.

Gallier also has a longstanding relationship with the Edge Hotel School, where he guest lectures, hosts the school’s annual conference and arranges hotel visits and mentoring. These opportunities give Leonardo Hotels the chance to shares its approach to careers and workplace learning, and provides a forum for Gallier to listen to feedback from students.

Building on Leonardo Hotels’ GROWonline learning and development portal, which he helped to launch 12 years ago, Gallier has also introduced the ‘What’s Stopping You’ campaign. This seeks to address any perceived barriers to learning a Leonardo Hotels employee may have, and shares case studies of a variety of employees benefiting from workplace development. The initiative led to a 150% increase in engagement, with 370 employees benefitting from pipeline programmes and 66 employees currently completing apprenticeships.

With these myriad achievements, it’s no wonder that Gallier was crowned the Education and Training Award winner.

What the judges said

“Edward’s contribution to education and training goes well beyond his day job, and his influence and passion continues to inspire all sorts of people into the hospitality industry. His enthusiasm is a hallmark of his professionalism.” Andrew Boer

“A truly deserving winner, Edward demonstrates the importance of investing in education and training. The relationships he has developed with educational establishments across the UK and elsewhere are extraordinary.” Angela Maher

The shortlist

• Wade Dutton, Sodexo Live!
• Samantha Hockey and Duncan Limbert, Sodexo
• Edward Gallier, Leonardo Hotels

The judges

• Beth Aarons, Dorchester Collection
• Andrew Boer, Edge Hotel School
• Michael Coaker, UWL
• David Cochrane, HIT Scotland
• John Cousins, Food and Beverage Training Co
• Adrian Ellis, Hospitality Action
• Professor Peter Jones, the Crumbs Project
• Angela Maher, Savoy Educational Trust

If you would like to enter the 2026 Cateys, or you know someone who you would like to nominate, register your interest for updates