Hotel Cateys 2024: Outstanding Contribution Award – Peter Banks

The winner of this year’s Outstanding Contribution Award has overseen the development of one of the country’s finest country house hotels.

Peter Banks has led the team at Rudding Park in Harrogate since its opening in 1997. His extraordinary 28-year tenure has seen him grow the business from 15 employees and a turnover of £1.5m to 320 employees and a turnover of £28m. During this time, he has overseen the redevelopment of all areas of the hotel and the addition of a number of new facilities, including a new wing containing a state-of-the-art spa.

This timespan has also seen the hotel pick up some 60 awards, including the 2019 Independent Hotel of the Year Catey, the 2020 AA Hotel of the Year, and the 2018 Visit England Hotel of the Year.

When Banks arrived at Rudding Park to lead the pre-opening team, he set about building a commercially successful hotel that exemplified the finest levels of hospitality. He had a true understanding of his market and has developed a loyal following offering the finest levels of service, while not over-reaching those who make the business a commercial success.

He has also built dedicated teams and was at the forefront of improving the employee experience, introducing measures such as counselling for team members and enhanced pay for those working anti-social hours.

Rudding Park’s owner Simon Mackaness praised Banks’s “passion, dedication and relentless drive to want to be the best”, recognising his enthusiasm for on-the-floor training and mantra of leading by example.

He added: “Peter and I have been on a roller-coaster journey together and he has been totally responsible for creating a popular, successful and commercially viable resort. In April 2024 Peter retired his executive role to set up his own hospitality consultancy, which I know will be tremendously successful. On a personal and professional level, words cannot express my thanks for all he has achieved during his 28 years with Rudding Park.”

Jonathan Raggett, chief executive of Red Carnation Hotels, added: “I have known Peter for some 20 years, shortly after he took the reins at Rudding Park. Peter has many strengths, one of which is taking on any challenge with great gusto and getting results.

“He is a charismatic leader and likeable person who always gives his very best, which makes him a very worthy winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award.”

Banks has also been committed to providing training avenues for those within the industry to develop their careers and supported industry organisations, including Destination Harrogate, the Harrogate Hospitality Association, Hospitality Action Northern Committee, UK Hospitality’s Northern Committee and Yorkshire Fine Hotels.

On top of this, he has supported many charities and in 2023 the hotel gave £103,437 to good causes as part of its Giving Something Back initiative, with an additional £726,270 raised through charity events at Rudding Park.

As he enters the next stage of his career as a hospitality consultant, there is no doubt the industry will continue to benefit from Banks’ generosity and expertise.