Hotel Cateys 2024: Revenue Manager of the Year – Inna Nekrassova, the Lanesborough

This year’s winner was described by judges as standing out for her “exceptional leadership, innovation and strong industry presence”.

Having only joined the Lanesborough two years ago, Inna Nekrassova has become a talented addition to the team, with exceptionally strong leadership skills.

This past year she delivered room revenue growth of 8% and growth in the average daily rate of of 13%, while revenue per available room has increased 3% year-on-year. In June she oversaw the hotel when it achieved its highest room revenue on record. Despite many luxury properties opening in London over the past year, her revenue numbers have continued to increase, thanks to initiatives such as a promotion to target shorter city break stays and suites with the lowest sold occupancy that generated more than £870,000 in 2023 and over £511,000 in the year to date.

She has showed true innovation in pushing reservations and revenue for the hotel to new heights. She implemented a new reservations incentive programme which motivates the team to increase its total revenue targets, as well as a quarterly ‘top suite upseller competition’ that tracks and rewards the best upsellers in the department.

In fact, working with the wider hotel team has delivered improved commercial alignment among departments and her collaboration with the front office on establishing better upselling targets brought in 75% growth in room revenue upsells year-on-year.

Along with using new business intelligence to gain meaningful data to support the commercial team, she has also developed new standards for the team to guide them through calls with high-spending guests and provide a luxury experience. This particular initiative helped the team increase their average internal audit score from 82% to 89% within a year.

Her leadership of her seven-strong team has also been recognised: she ensures they receive rotas a month in advance, have quarterly feedback sessions and a continuous recognition culture. Thanks to her coaching and development, three of the team members received internal promotions in the past year.

Nekrassova also dedicates time to support the wider community of revenue managers in London. This year, she joined the University of Surrey’s School of Hospitality & Tourism Management as a mentor to final year hospitality degree students and, using her extensive network of contacts, has connected her mentees with relevant opportunities.

As one judge said: “Inna is a trailblazer, influencing the industry and inspiring the next generation of revenue professionals.” And many await to see what her exciting future in the industry brings.

What the judges said

“Inna not only delivered fantastic results, she did it with an eye on the wider hospitality industry. Her approach to supporting the community of revenue managers is fantastic and shows her desire to develop others.”

Joe Strudwick

“Inna is a trailblazer, influencing the industry and inspiring the next generation.”

Doris Woehnl