Hotel Cateys 2017: Hotelier of the Year winner, Sue Williams, Whatley Manor
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The wonderful warmth and professionalism Sue Williams exuded during Hospitality Action's annual cycle challenge in the Cotswolds earlier this year during ‘monsoon' conditions pretty much sums up the way she has approached her 36-year career. Typically, she rolled up her sleeves and provided a hearty welcome and generous hospitality under the most adverse conditions, and calmly dealt with one injured cyclist with the utmost care.
In her current role at Whatley Manor, Williams is overseeing considerable change, specifically by transforming the food and beverage outlets. Niall Keating, who was appointed executive chef at the end of last year, won a Michelin star for the hotel in October for the Dining Room, and earlier this month the new Grey's Brasserie was launched.
Room occupancy and rates are being lifted by creating awareness of the hotel's membership of Pride of Britain and Relais & Chateux, as well as the development of a new website and the introduction of a serious revenue management policy. As a result, Whatley Manor achieved an occupancy of 78% in July, the highest rate since the owners relaunched the hotel in 2003. Average occupancy across 2017 is expected to be 64%, up from 55% last year.
Craig Bancroft, last year's Hotelier of the Year who nominated Williams for this year's award, says: "I cannot think of anybody more deserving of this award than Sue. She has demonstrated total commitment and dedication to the hospitality industry throughout her many years of being at of the forefront of cutting-edge hotels. She is a consummate and outstanding hotelier, who leads by example and is a top female executive within the industry, who would be very proud of the award and do it complete justice." He adds that she is "a shining star" in her passionate support and encouragement towards her staff.
What the judges said
"Sue could not be described as a showy 'peacock', but as a peaceful 'dove', who is people-orientated, loyal, friendly, hard-working, a great team player and very well respected." Jonathan Raggett
"Sue Williams is the most respected hands-on hotelier, a terrific ambassador for the hotel industry and a highly regarded operator." Stuart Bowery
"Sue is one of the most professional hoteliers. She puts so much back into our industry in a quiet, selfless and unassuming way. Previously an unsung hero, it's quite rightly her turn to shine." Danny Pecorelli
"Sue embodies a winning combination of warmth and professionalism, but what really marks her out is her unstinting enthusiasm for, and commitment to, the hotels she has worked in, to the industry as a whole, and to the young people starting out in it. She is a great hotelier, a great human being and a great role model." Fiona Duncan
Past winners
2016 Craig Bancroft
2015 Nick Jones
2014 Danny Pecorelli
2013 Stuart Bowery
2012 Stuart Johnson
2011 Stephen Carter
2010 Andrew Stembridge
2009 Jonathan Raggett
2008 Andrew McKenzie
2007 Michael Gray
2006 Richard Ball
2005 John Stauss
2004 Patrick Elsmie
2003 Robin Hutson
2002 Gordon Campbell Gray
2001 Karen Earp
2000 Peter Crome
1999 Nick Ryan
1998 Nicholas Rettie
1997 Peter Lederer
1996 Chris Rouse
1995 Ricci Obertelli
1994 David Levin
1993 Ken McCulloch
1992 Dagmar Woodward
1991 Martin Skan
1990 George Goring
1989 Grete Hobbs
1988 Ronald Jones
1987 Eion Dillon
1986 Harry Murray
1985 Terry Holmes
1984 RamÁ³n Pajares
1983 Richard Edwards