ASPIRE AWARDS 2024 3


Outstanding Contribution winners: Valentina De Santis, Alex Cheatle


“If you can dream it, you can do it.” Those were the words of Outstanding Contribution to Luxury: Supplier winner Valentina De Santis as she collected her award at this year’s Aspire Awards. The hotelier, who owns iconic Lake Como sister properties


Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Passalacqua, said she was determined to continue her family’s legacy and honour her grandparents, who acquired the former hotel in 1973. After running through the hotel’s halls as a child, De Santis joined her family business in 2010, helping to shape the sales and marketing strategy. She went on to become marketing manager and eventually chief executive and owner. In 2022, she launched 24-room Passalacqua, which already


tops lists as one of the best hotels in the world. Speaking at the awards, she said: “I’m honoured to receive


this award, it truly means so much to me.” Ten Lifestyle Group’s co-founder and chief executive


Alex Cheatle was also honoured on the night, picking up the Outstanding Contribution to Luxury: Agent award. He


used the platform to pay homage to everyone who offers exceptional service in luxury travel and hospitality. As a teenager, Cheatle sold curtain cloth in


Walthamstow market. He studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University before joining Procter & Gamble’s graduate programme, going on to become marketing manager. He set up lifestyle and concierge business Ten Lifestyle Group, alongside his brother, in 1998, in the spare room of their shared London flat. Fast forward 26 years and Ten has wealthy members


globally and a team of more than 1,000 servicing them in 22 locations around the world. Clients include Schroders, HSBC, Mastercard, American Express and Bank of China, with annual revenues of £63 million. Aspire editor Hollie-Rae Brader said: “Both Valentina


and Alex are outstanding examples of how hard work and determination pay off in our industry. Both exude passion and we were thrilled to honour them for their shining contributions to the luxury travel sector.”


Valentina De Santis collects her award


Alex Cheatle


aspiretravelclub.co.uk


NOVEMBER 2024 ASPIRE 11


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