Danny Pecorelli, managing director at Exclusive Hotels and Venues, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Master Innholders.
He has replaced Stuart Bowery, general manager at London's Grosvenor House, who held the position at the head of the professional hoteliers' organisation for two years.
Named as Hotelier of the Year by The Caterer in 2014, Pecorelli will be supported by newly appointed vice-chairman Debbie Taylor, executive coach and group chair of Vistage UK, and the Master Innholders executive committee.
Following training at the Savoy hotel in London and studying at Cornell University in the US, Pecorelli spent a year with Sheraton Hotels before joining Exclusive Hotels, the company his father Giuseppe founded in 1981. In 1997 he become managing director the group which today employs 700 people across seven properties.
Pecorelli said: "I'm delighted to be able to take the reins from Stuart, who has led us through a very exciting time. It is vital that we continue to celebrate excellence and best practice, so my aim over the next two years as chairman is to take our education and development programmes to the next level through broadening our reach across the industry.
"Over the past 40 years, we have cemented ourselves as leading hoteliers and I hope to continue to build upon this legacy alongside the Worshipful Company of Innholders and our executive committee."
Bowery added: "I have enjoyed the privilege of leading the UK's finest hoteliers through a period of growth. With the support of the executive committee, we have awarded a record number of Scholarships and Aspiring Leader Diploma places, celebrated our 40th Anniversary, as well as hold two sell-out Hotel General Managers' Conferences. I'm proud of what the Master Innholders contributes to our industry and look forward to supporting our new chairman, taking the association to new heights."
Top 100: Danny Pecorelli, Exclusive Hotel and Venues >>
Danny Pecorelli named 2014 Hotelier of the Year >>
Sally Beck and Andrew Foulkes among six new Master Innholders >>