Marco De Simone MIH

The @AIH_IoH is holding a webinar 'Unlocking Your Future: Understanding Chartered Status in the Professional Hospitality Industry'. This webinar is free to attend for members and non-members alike. • instituteofhospitality.org/event/ioh-yout… @IoH_Online @RBWR @hmurray9 @KatzR4 @GOVUK

A great pleasure to be a guest of The Master and The Worshipful Company of Cooks of London at Innholders’ Hall, joining the Lady Mayor of London, The Rt Hon Dame Susan Langley, for their annual Civic Dinner. The Company undertakes excellent work to improve the lives of people from disadvantaged backgrounds across London and the surrounding boroughs, supporting individuals into employment through hospitality; values very much aligned with those of the Institute of Hospitality. It was especially a pleasure to spend time with former Institute of Hospitality CEO Philippe Rossiter FIH, a gentleman who was incredibly generous with his time and support when I first assumed my place within the IoH CEO family. #HospitalityFamily #imin #WorshipfulCompanyofCooks #StrongerTogether

I grew up watching Chef Brian Turner FIH on TV, and have had the privilege of spending time with him over the last few years, presenting him with the Institute of Hospitality Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award in 2022. “Never meet your heroes” is certainly not a saying reserved for Chef Turner. Warm, generous with his time, endlessly supportive of young talent, and every bit as genuine off screen as he is on it, Brian remains one of the true gentlemen of hospitality. #HospitalityFamily #imin #Chef

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Adam Hamadache FIH for The Hotel Growth Podcast. We discussed the growing gap between rising operating costs and what guests are willing to pay, how leaders can navigate uncertainty whilst building resilient teams, why hospitality continues to be misunderstood and often undervalued by government, and a subject particularly close to my heart: the case for recognising hospitality as a true profession. Thank you, Adam, for such a great conversation. You can listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/09IIW9… #HospitalityFamily #CharteredStatus #Podcast

We are excited to announce the shortlisted finalists for this year's Institute of Hospitality Annual Awards! 🏆 A total of 33 outstanding individuals and businesses have made the shortlist for this year’s Awards, which honour those shaping the future of hospitality worldwide. The Awards will take place on 15th June at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London. Find out who made the shortlist at the link! instituteofhospitality.org/ioh-awards-sho… #imin #IoH #IoHAwards #IoHAwards2026 #ShortlistedFinalists @RBWR

Our CEO Robert Richardson FIH, and Head of Professional Development Aymen Fetouak MIH visited our Scottish #HospitalityFamily this week, to hold a round table discussion, exploring how Scotland’s hospitality sector can move beyond traditional stereotypes and position itself at the forefront of modern, values-driven tourism. Thank you to everyone who took part and shared their insights, and to our Scotland Region chair, Kevin Keenan MIH and to Andrew Doherty MIH, General Manager at Dakota Hotels Glasgow, for hosting us! Insights gathered at the round table will be turned into a white paper and published on our website very soon. You can find out more about our Scotland Region at the link below! instituteofhospitality.org/ioh-scotland-r… #imin #IoH #ScottishHospitality #IoHScotland #RoundTable #CPD @RBWR

Celebrating the release of Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Iteration No 27 at the Orangery, Kensington Palace, was a wonderfully memorable experience this week. Thank you to our valued Institute of Hospitality partners Alexandra de Nonancourt, Stéphanie de Nonancourt and Adam Guy for the kind invitation, and the opportunity to taste some truly exceptional champagne. #HospitalityFamily #imin #LaurentPerrier

Five years as Chief Executive of the Institute of Hospitality. How has it been that long, and how do I put into words what it feels like? Firstly, it is an absolute privilege to be a part of such an exclusive group of people, trusted to lead our professional body since 1938. A professional body that supports more than 16,000 members across over 100 countries, within a global industry worth more than 4.5 trillion US dollars and employing more than 320 million people. Secondly, it's a responsibility. A responsibility to strengthen hospitality as a recognised profession. To build structured career pathways, to set and uphold professional standards, and to make every one of our members the best versions of themselves. Five years ago, we committed to progress, ensuring that the Institute is as relevant today as it has ever been. We created the Institute’s first Youth Council. We placed inclusivity at the heart of what we do by appointing our first DEIB Lead. We led the development of the UK Government recognised standard for hospitality recruitment. We grew our membership by 24%. We relaunched our magazine, now found in some of the very best airport lounges in the UK, and developed a CPD podcast listened to in more than 75 countries. We extended our global reach, through membership, and by setting the standard for professional recognition across more than 1,100 programmes of study and qualifications in 24 countries, alongside partnerships with over 100 academic institutions worldwide. And importantly, we have maintained a constant focus on the public benefit of a professionally recognised hospitality sector, because we know that our profession matters. To economies. To communities. To people. We have taken the Institute of Hospitality into rooms where it has not always been heard, championing professional recognition and progressing our application for Chartered Status, because our profession deserves that recognition. We, not I. Because none of this has been achieved alone. The past five years have been shaped by the guidance, challenge, and stewardship of trustees, regional committee members and chairs, past and present, and by the commitment, belief, and daily dedication of a remarkable team serving our members and our profession. I stand in the shadow of those who came before me, the Chief Executives and teams who built the foundations on which the Institute of today continues to grow. And I am well aware that I stand before those who will come after me, with a responsibility to leave the Institute stronger, more relevant, and more impactful for the future. A responsibility reflected in the Institute’s crest, which carries the words “Esto Certus”. “Be sure”. And I am sure in our standards, in our purpose, and in the value of hospitality as a profession. And if I return to the question of how to put into words what it feels like… it is, quite simply, an honour to serve as Chief Executive of the Institute of Hospitality.

#HospitalityFamily! Have you entered our 2026 IoH Annual Awards yet? Recognising professional excellence, leadership and service standards from across our #HospitalityFamily, this year's six award categories include a brand new category celebrating our 'IoH Mentor Me' mentors. 2026 categories 🌟Best Educational Programme 2026 - Sponsored by @HITTraining 🌟The Gregory De La Peña-Hall FIH Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Employer of the Year Award 2026 🌟Talent Development Team of the Year 2026 🌟Mentor of the Year Award - Sponsored by Aspire Executive Lounges 🌟Outstanding Contribution to the Industry 2026 - Sponsored by Miele Professional 🌟The Institute of Hospitality CEO’s Award 2026 - Sponsored by CGA Integration The deadline for nominations is Monday, 20 April 2026, 5 pm BST. Find out more and nominate at the link below. instituteofhospitality.org/nominations-io… #IoHAwards2026 #IoHAwards #imin #HospitalityExcellence @CgaChris @RBWR

A great end to the week, with lunch at the Booking Office 1869 in St Pancras alongside Alistair Sandall FIH, Executive Secretary of our Institute partners, the Master Innholders, discussing the continued strength of the special relationship between the Institute of Hospitality and the Master Innholders, and what the year ahead holds. #imin #HospitalityFamily #StrongerTogether #InspireMotivateLearn

London hospitality family! We have some great news... our London region is holding a networking event just for you in May! 📍 Location: The iconic Space House in Holborn 📅 Date: 19 May 2026 🕡 Time: 6:30-9:00 PM Join us for a night of delicious food, expertly crafted cocktails, and breathtaking views of London! 🌆✨ This event is expected to sell quickly, so follow the link below to book your space before they all go! instituteofhospitality.org/event/ioh-lond… #imin #IoHLondon #LondonHospitality #Networking

#HospitalityFamily! Have you nominated yet for our 2026 IoH Annual Awards? Recognising professional excellence, leadership and service standards from across our #HospitalityFamily, this year's six award categories include a brand new category celebrating our 'IoH Mentor Me' mentors. 2026 categories 🌟Best Educational Programme 2026 - Sponsored by @HITTraining 🌟The Gregory De La Peña-Hall FIH Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Employer of the Year Award 2026 🌟Talent Development Team of the Year 2026 🌟Mentor of the Year Award - Sponsored by Aspire Executive Lounges 🌟Outstanding Contribution to the Industry 2026 - Sponsored by Miele Professional 🌟The Institute of Hospitality CEO’s Award 2026 - Sponsored by CGA Integration The deadline for nominations is Monday, 20 April 2026, 5 pm BST. Find out more and nominate at the link below. instituteofhospitality.org/nominations-io… #IoHAwards2026 #IoHAwards #imin #HospitalityExcellence @CgaChris @RBWR

What a great few days we've had at this year's @HRC_Event at Excel London! A huge thank you to everyone who came and visited us on the stand... Until next year! #imin #IoH #HospitalityFamily #HRC #HotelRestaurantCatering #ThatsAWrap

#HospitalityStudents, #HospitalityGraduates and #HospitalityApprentices! We have some great news! #Passion4Hospitality: The Future Leaders Conference is now available to book! Returning to Novotel London West this November, P4H is the largest student, graduate and apprenticeship careers fair and conference in the hospitality industry. And, it is completely free to attend thanks to funding from the Savoy Educational Trust. Find out more at the link below! bit.ly/4c2rUpe #imin #IoH #P4H2026

@RBWR @libdemdaisy Terrific and very inspiring. Let’s take, all together, the #hospitality #industry to the next level. Keep up the amazing work @IoH_Online | @RBWR | Martin Taylor OBE FIH 👏🏼

A useful and constructive meeting in Westminster today with Daisy Cooper MP, alongside our Institute of Hospitality Chair, Martin Traynor OBE FIH. Our discussion focused on professional development opportunities for our hospitality profession over the next decade, the challenges we currently face, and how these can impact our ability to unlock the full potential of our people. We also shared progress on our Chartered Status application, and the wider public benefit it represents for both the profession and the communities we serve. Daisy continues to be a strong and consistent advocate for our #HospitalityFamily. At a time when it can feel as though our profession is not always being heard, with hotels and hospitality venues facing significant increases in rates bills, and pubs closing at a rate of one per week, it is both encouraging and important to engage with those who recognise the value, scale, and significance of hospitality to the UK economy and society. Because, simply, when people are out of work, they cannot develop their skills, grow as professionals, or give back to the communities and economies that rely on them. And because, when hospitality is understood, it is supported, and when it is supported, it thrives. #StrongerTogether #InspireMotivateLearn #CharteredStatus #imin

In the UK, the law on tipping is evolving, with the Government introducing new requirements for employers to consult with their teams when developing or reviewing tipping policies. Today, my colleague Aymen Fetouak MIH and I brought together a group of subject matter experts from across our membership to explore this in detail. We were grateful for the insights shared by operators, legal professionals, and representative trade bodies, including: Vandana Dass FIH (Davenport Solicitors), Andrew Green (British Beer and Pub Association), Diana Carolina Suzuki Chong (The Corinthia), James McComas FIH (Champneys), Kevin Keenan MIH (Effective Hospitality Management), and Zoe Wesson MIH (Hilton Waldorf). Hosted by our colleagues at Davenport Solicitors, this was a thoughtful and constructive discussion, reflecting the breadth and depth of expertise within our #HospitalityFamily. We have now summarised the key insights and will be submitting a formal response to the consultation, outlining how these new requirements can be implemented effectively, while supporting both employers and employees across the sector. As always, our focus remains on promoting professionalism across the sector, ensuring these changes deliver fair outcomes for businesses, employees, and the wider public. #InspireMotivateLearn #StrongerTogether #Hospitality #Leadership #imin

Over £405,000 raised to support the vital work of Hospitality Action! Absolutely incredible! On Friday night it was a privilege to go "Back to The Floor", serving over 600 guests at Hilton Park Lane in London, and raising money to support members of our #HospitalityFamily in the UK facing crisis. Congratulations Danny Pecorelli FIH, Mark Lewis FIH, the team at Hospitality Action, and our host for the Evening James B. Clarke FIH, for an incredible evening, and thank you to everyone who so generously sponsored or tipped me, your money will make a real difference to those who need it the most. See you at "Back to the Floor 8", in 2028! #StrongerTogether #WeveGotYou #BTTF

A pleasure to be back at the University of Surrey, delivering a guest lecture to final-year undergraduates, and masters students, on "Building a Career in Modern Hospitality". #HospitalityFamily #InspireMotivateLearn #imin

Delighted to confirm renewal of #IoHEndorsement for 14 online food safety training courses offered by @CPDOnlineColl, including: • Allergen Awareness • Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering Levels 1, 2, & 3 • Food Safety and Hygiene in Schools • HACCP Level 2, & 3 • Improving your Food Hygiene Rating instituteofhospitality.org/program/costar… #OnlineLearning #ProfessionalRecognition

Further proof, if it were needed, that hospitality is vital to the UK economy: BBC News - UK economy flatlines in January as people cut back on eating out - BBC News bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…