Jonathan Raggett appointed chairman of Master Innholders
Jonathan Raggett, managing director of Red Carnation Hotels, has been appointed chairman of the Master Innholders (MI).
He has taken over from Andrew Stembridge, managing director of Chewton Glen and Cliveden House hotels, who had been in the role for two years. The appointment was announced at the Master Innholders' AGM, which was followed by its annual dinner at the Worshipful Company of Innholders Hall in London.
Raggett has been managing director of Red Carnation Hotels since 2000, having initially joined the company as general manager of the Rubens at the Palace hotel and Hotel 41, the previous year.
At the time of his appointment, Red Carnation Hotels ran five hotels in London and one in the US. Today, the company comprises 17 four and five-star hotels in London, Dorset, Guernsey, Ireland, Geneva, South Africa and Palm Beach, as well as a standalone restaurant in London and bar and a pub in Dorset.
Since becoming a MI in 2008, he has chaired the organisation's Aspiring Leaders' programme, and providing mentoring to a St Julian scholar who has graduated from the MI' scholarship programme. In 2009, he was named Hotelier of the Year.
Raggett said he is keen to continue Stembridge's work in driving awareness of both the MI scholarship programme and the MI Aspiring Leaders diploma, both which support future leaders of the hotel industry.
"I look forward to maintaining the excellent work of Master Innholders; raising even more funds to award even more scholarships, continuing our mentoring programme for St Julian Scholars and upholding the very best practises of hotel-keeping. It is a very exciting time to take over as chairman, as the Worshipful Company celebrates its quincentennial next year, and a number of new initiatives are being planned to celebrate this milestone.''
During the annual dinner, Peter Hancock, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels, accepted an honorary membership to the Master Innholders for his "infectious and valued contribution to the industry".
Caterer and Hotelkeeper 100: Jonathan Raggett, Red Carnation Hotels >>
