Hotelier of the Year 2023
1 Gleneagles managing director Conor O’Leary was named Hotelier of the Year 2023 last week at a celebratory lunch held at the Lowry hotel in Manchester. He was recognised for his work
repositioning the business from golf- led hotel to a “glorious playground” fit for the 21st century, as well as his development of the Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh. O’Leary was presented with the
award by Nick Appell (3) of Casna Group, the award’s sponsor, and The Caterer editor James Stagg. It is the third time the Hotelier
of the Year award has gone to a manager of Gleneagles after Patrick Elsmie received it in 2004 and Peter Lederer in 1997. Both were in attendance at the lunch. The judging panel, made up of
former Hotelier of the Year winners and industry experts, praised O’Leary’s vision and business acumen along with his natural talent for leadership and nurturing his teams. The Vineyard managing director Andrew McKenzie said O’Leary had “an unfussy style and very easy manner”, which allowed him to “wear his role lightly, which is no easy task when you consider he runs one of the world’s iconic hotels”. Hotel critic and travel writer
Fiona Duncan added that, having stayed at Gleneagles this year, she had experienced first-hand why under O’Leary’s “benign, professional and committed leadership, the hotel provides its guests with such a superb all-round experience”. Gordon Campbell Gray said
that “Conor always exudes a sense of supreme and impressive calm”, adding that Gleneagles had “reached a new level under his professional eye”. Some 20 former Hoteliers of the
Year, including Sue Williams (2017), Jonathan Raggett (2009), Michael Gray (2007), Gordon Campbell Gray (2002) and Harry Murray (1986) attended the celebratory lunch, hosted by the 2022 winner Adrian Ellis, general manager at the Lowry hotel. They were joined by leading figures from the UK hotel sector. 2 Jonthan Slater, Graham Copeman and James Clarke 4 Gordon Campbell Gray, Danny Pecorelli and David Taylor 5 Peter Banks, Joanne Taylor-Stagg and Jonathan Raggett. 6 Ilana and Conor O’Leary enter the room to a standing ovation 7 James Stagg, Nick Appell, Conor O’Leary and Adrian Ellis.
14 | The Caterer | 10 November 2023 1
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