Adrian Ellis, Lowry hotel general manager, named 2022 Hotelier of the Year

Lowry hotel general manager Adrian Ellis has been crowned 2022 Hotelier of the Year.

He was presented with his award at a celebratory lunch today at the Park Plaza Riverbank hotel in London by Nick Appell of Casna Group, the award's sponsor, and The Caterer editor James Stagg.

Ellis was recognised for his work leading the five-AA-star, 165-bedroom Lowry hotel in Manchester and inspiring school leavers, college students and university graduates to make hotels their career of choice.

Since arriving in the north-west of England nearly eight years ago from a 17-year career overseas, Ellis has not only overseen a total refurbishment of the Lowry, he has also established an extraordinary presence in the wider hotel community, both within Manchester and across the UK.

Alongside his recruitment initiatives, he also spearheads programmes to promote the city, grow business levels, raise the profile of sustainability issues and run charity events.

Ellis is also chair of the Manchester Hotel Association and UKHospitality’s northern group, a member of Hospitality Action’s northern committee and Springboard’s north-west board. He sits on the executive board of Master Innholders and Hoteliers’ Charter and is a member of the International Strategy Committee for Manchester, which aims to drive trade, investment and the visitor economy for the city.

Fourteen of the past 38 winners of the Hotelier of the Year award made up the judging panel that elected Ellis.

One praised him as being “an unsung hero” who has done more to raise the profile of hospitality in the Midlands and the north of England than most others have achieved collectively across the rest of the country.

“Adrian is not only winning the recruitment battle for himself but also for so many other businesses,” they added.

Another said: “The work he does in helping young people come into our industry is truly inspirational, all while running a successful internationally acclaimed hotel with his people at the heart of what he does.”

Ellis said that he was “knocked sideways” on learning of his success.

He added: “I have attended the presentation lunch for the past five years now, but never thought it would come to me. I was shocked, stunned and surprised.”

Around 20 former Hoteliers of the Year, including Sue Williams (2018), Andrew Stembridge (2010), Nicholas Rettie (1998) and Harry Murray (1986) attended today's lunch, hosted by the 2021 winner Daniel Pedreschi, regional vice-president of UK operations at PPHE Hotel Group at Park Plaza Riverbank in London.

To read more about how Ellis engages the wider hospitality community and encourages careers in the sector, see this week's edition of The Caterer.