Stephen Gow, general manager of The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen has become the only Scottish hotelier to be welcomed into the Master Innholders and he is one of only four new Master Innholders in 2022.
In addition to his ‘day job’, Stephen Gow is chairman of Hospitality Apprenticeship North East and chairman of the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, as well as vice chair of Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association, founder director of VisitAberdeen and committee member of Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland’s Grampian council. He is currently involved in the creation of an apprenticeship for chefs to combat the current shortages of staff across the North East of Scotland. He is known for his drive for hospitality professionals to combine and share collective learnings.
Stephen says, “The Master Innholders is a prestigious force within the hotel sector and is recognised as a standard bearer for the hospitality industry. There is no doubt that the hospitality industry is a highly competitive environment, but there is also a huge degree of support between hoteliers to support each other and their local economy. I am honoured to take a role in giving back to the industry in which I’ve worked since leaving school and to play a part in encouraging the next generation of talent.”
The Master Innholders organisation is committed to promoting education and development within the hotel sector through programmes including the Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders’ Diploma, the Innholders’ Scholarship, the Hotel Leadership Conference, MIDAS and their mentoring scheme. Being part of the MI community means hoteliers will be providing opportunities to give back to the industry and support the next wave of talent.
Commenting on the new Master Innholders, David Morgan-Hewitt FIH MI, chairman of the Master Innholders said: “I am immensely proud to welcome these four new members to the Master Innholders. Each has shown overwhelming passion and dedication for hospitality and are making valuable contributions not only to their own hotels, but to the industry as a whole. Congratulations to each of our new Master Innholders!”