Winners of this year’s Manchester Hoteliers’ Association (MHA) Awards were recently revealed during an awards night attended by more than 600 people.
The Manchester Hoteliers’ Association (MHA) is a non-profit organisation of the key hotels within the city centre and the Greater Manchester area. It is chaired and managed by the hotel General Managers and the MHA is dedicated to promoting and developing the hospitality and tourism industry in Manchester.
Ten prestigious awards, including Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality, were given out at the event held at Vermillion where the region’s hospitality industry toasted to the year just gone.
Johan Scheepers, of Kimpton Clocktower, landed the Mentor of the Year accolade sponsored by Matthew Clark, while Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by UKGlobal, went to Susan Hough at The Midland Hotel. Back of House Customer Service, sponsored by The Big Orange Cleaning Company, was taken home by Julie Rogers from The Lowry Hotel, while the Rising Star, sponsored by Manchester Metropolitan University, went to AJ Ross-Jones, from Best Western Cresta Court Hotel.
Dakota Hotel took home both the Bright Idea sponsored by MINT People and Top Team sponsored by Stephensons, as well as Pino Lombardo from Dakota Hotel winning Front of House Customer Service sponsored by Expedia.
Sustainable Hotel sponsored by Uber for Business – a new category introduced this year, was won by Manchester Marriott V&A Hotel, while Young Chef of the Year sponsored by Caterer.com was taken home by Keenan Lawrence from The Edwardian Manchester.
Nathanial Farrell of Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre also took home the Unsung Hero Award sponsored by Polkadot.
Manchester Hoteliers’ Association Chair Adrian Ellis congratulated all shortlisted, winners and attendees of the evening for ‘another fantastic spectacle’ and wished all the best for the rest of 2023.
He said: “The calibre of entries this year was once again extremely strong and took the judges three days to come to a final decision, which is a testament to the fantastic talent we have here in Manchester’s hospitality industry.
“We had a great evening celebrating another brilliant but challenging 12 months for the industry and I wish all the best for the rest of the year.”
Paul Cook, Managing Director at UKGlobal – Headline Sponsor of this years’ MHA Ball said: “UKGlobal Insurance Brokers are both privileged and proud to have been the headline sponsor for this year’s MHA Awards & Ball. The great awareness and support this brings to local charities aligns with our own company values which is one of the key reasons we wanted to contribute to the event. We very much look forward to supporting the MHA and its members for years to come.”
Cathryn O’Grady, MHA event organiser commented: “We would like to thank all the partners who supported the event this year. In addition, to the sponsors mentioned above we must thank Anita Ryan, Ice Entertainment, Simon Wood, Springbank, The Pull, Vermilion, Vision Events and all of our food partners.
“Together we have raised over £40,000 for MHA’s chosen charities including Hospitality Action, Mustard Tree, Wood Street Mission and MIND Manchester.”
Manchester Hoteliers’ Association 18th Annual Ball and Awards Winners 2023
Back of House Customer Service sponsored by The Big Orange Cleaning Company
Julie Rogers, The Lowry Hotel
Bright Idea sponsored by MINT People
Dakota Hotel Marketing Team
Front of House Customer Service sponsored by Expedia
Pino Lombardo, Dakota Hotel Manchester
Mentor of the Year sponsored by Matthew Clark
Johan Scheepers, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality sponsored by UKGlobal
Susan Hough, The Midland Hotel
Rising Star sponsored by Manchester Metropolitan University
AJ Ross-Jones, Best Western Cresta Court Hotel
Sustainable Hotel sponsored by Uber for Business
Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel
Top Team sponsored by Stephensons
Dakota Manchester Team
Unsung Hero sponsored by Polkadot Design & Print
Nathanial Farrell, Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre
Young Chef of the Year sponsored by Caterer.com
Keenan Lawrence, The Edwardian Manchester, A Radisson Collection Hotel
The MHA membership continues to grow at a rapid rate following the development and opening of many new properties over recent years. As a group MHA now has 50 members and aim to organise meetings and events that will be of interest and benefit to its members
In such a vibrant marketplace the aim of MHA is to ensure members are brought up to date with the latest developments, discuss events that are happening in the city and work at ways at which the Hotels and the city can further promote the city as a destination for tourists and for major events.
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