Marco De Simone MIH

Restaurant Director of Crystal Moon Lounge and The Garden Restaurant at Corinthia London | Member of The Institute of Hospitality.

[Marco De Simone MIH @MarcoDeSimone69]

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.

• https://t.co/2OSQIYMsIG

@IoH_Online @RBWR @hmurray9 @KatzR4 @GOVUK

[Harry Murray MBE @hmurray9]

Have you signed ✍️ ?

[Michel Roux Jr @michelrouxjr]

@hmurray9 @Kennyatkinson1 Yes 🙌🏻

[Robert Richardson FIH MI @RBWR]

@EmmaLewell Great to meet you in Parliament this week Emma, and thank you for your support at such a difficult time for our profession!

[Robert Richardson FIH MI @RBWR]

Our vital UK hospitality sector is currently facing the highest levels of taxation in its history, and when businesses are under sustained financial pressure, investment in people is always the first area to suffer. Recruitment, professional development, and pathways into meaningful careers are now at risk.

We are already seeing the consequences reflected in national employment figures, particularly among those seeking their first opportunity in the workplace. Hospitality has long been one of the UK's most important entry points into employment, providing people from all backgrounds with the opportunity to gain skills, experience and rewarding long-term careers. However, when the cost of doing business continues to rise, the ability of employers to invest in recruitment, training and career development is inevitably reduced.

Yet hospitality remains one of the United Kingdom's most important economic and social contributors. It supports communities, creates opportunities for social mobility, provides rewarding careers, and helps millions of people develop valuable skills for life.

I am grateful to @RosieDuffield1 MP for bringing together hospitality operators, industry leaders, including @Sacha_Lord FIH, former Night Time Economy Adviser to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, and parliamentarians in Parliament this week to discuss the case for aligning hospitality VAT with our European counterparts. A more competitive VAT rate would not simply support businesses, it would help unlock investment in people, skills and jobs, delivering significant economic and social benefits for communities across the United Kingdom.

#HospitalityFamily #VATSTheProblem #StrongerTogether

[Institute of Hospitality @IoH_Online]

We are delighted to announce that Danny Pecorelli FIH MI, Managing Director of @Exclusive_Hotel, will be the guest speaker at our Institute of Hospitality Annual Dinner & Awards 2026 on Monday, 15 June at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London.

Widely respected across the industry, Danny has guided Exclusive Collection for nearly three decades, leading it to become the first UK hotel group to achieve B Corp certification.

Danny is known for his people-first leadership style, and his commitment to developing future hospitality talent, so it promises to be an unforgettable evening.

Read the full story and book tickets here. https://t.co/tXpzWdmhT3
#Hospitality #AnnualDinner2026 #IoHAwards #Leadership #imin #IoH
@RBWR

[Robert Richardson FIH MI @RBWR]

Only in Manchester would I meet an astrophysicist who retrained to join the vibrant hospitality scene offered by this great city.

That was just one of many takeaways from this week’s Institute of Hospitality networking event, where we asked the question: “What drives hospitality success in the North?”

Thank you to my panellists, Sacha Lord FIH, Laura Green, Stewart Morrell MIH, and Jonathan Baillie, for such a valuable discussion covering the incredible diversity of talent, passion, and opportunity that continues to shape hospitality across the region, alongside the excitement surrounding Andy Burnham’s vision for not just the city, but the country.

Following the event, it was a pleasure to catch up with our Chair, Martin Traynor OBE FIH, and @Sacha_Lord over dinner, discussing exciting future plans for our global #HospitalityFamily.

Manchester is such a vital part of the UK’s hospitality and tourism industry, and it is always a huge pleasure to spend time with our members in this vibrant city. Thank you to my colleagues Aymen Fetouak MIH and Emma Ellis MIH, for managing this latest opportunity to meet our members in the North.

#imin #MeetingOurMembers #Manchester #StrongerTogether

[Henal Chotai @henal1973]

@IoH_Online @wlv_uni Congratulations 🙌🏼

[Institute of Hospitality @IoH_Online]

We are proud to announce that our CEO, Robert Richardson FIH MI, is to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Hospitality by the @wlv_uni, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the global hospitality profession, leadership of the Institute of Hospitality, and commitment to advancing professional standards, education and inclusion across the sector.

The honorary doctorate will be awarded by the University during its summer graduation ceremonies in late July.

Congratulations from all the IoH Team and global #HospitalityFamily on this remarkable achievement! 🎉

To read the full story, please follow the link below.
https://t.co/udFMqfewu9

#UniversityofWolverhampton #HospitalityLeadership #IoH #imin

[Institute of Hospitality @IoH_Online]

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!
https://t.co/IIg5yK01jf
#imin #IoHLondon #LondonHospitality #Networking

[Institute of Hospitality @IoH_Online]

Northern Hospitality Family... Have you got your tickets for Above & Beyond Manchester yet?

If you're based in the North and have missed out on attending Above & Beyond events in the past, this one is for you...

Taking place on 18 May at Sora Rooftop Restaurant, @MalmaisonHotels Manchester Deansgate, the event has everything you’ve come to expect from Above & Beyond, plus a touch of Northern hospitality!

With a drinks and canapés reception and networking opportunities, it also features a CPD panel discussion titled "What Drives Hospitality Success in the North".

Your panel of experts chaired by IoH CEO Robert Richardson FIH:
• Sacha Lord FIH - NTIA
• Laura Green - Malmaison Manchester Deansgate
• Stewart Morrell MIH - Manchester Metropolitan University
• Jonathan Baillie - @Catererdotcom

There are still a few tickets left, so follow the link to grab yours before they all go! https://t.co/qLZqhSAf1P
#imin #IoH #Hospitality #NorthernHospitality
@RBWR @Sacha_Lord

[Institute of Hospitality @IoH_Online]

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Institute of Hospitality’s 2027 Annual Charity Golf Day, in collaboration with @TheBelfryHotel and our strategic partners, @ntiaofficial.

📅 Date: Thursday, 13 May 2027
⛳️ Location: The Belfry Hotel & Resort, near Birmingham

This event promises to be more than just a golf tournament, hosted at one of the UK’s most renowned golf resorts.

🌟18 holes of championship golf
🌟On-course competitions
🌟Evening garden party with BBQ and music
🌟Spa day package options
🌟Networking

The proceeds will support the charitable work of the Institute’s Youth Council and Night Time Industries Association, which aids businesses across the UK’s vibrant night-time economy.

Find out more https://t.co/oHa7JpnHlO
#IoHGolfDay2027 #NTIA #HospitalityFamily #TheBelfry
@RBWR

[Robert Richardson FIH MI @RBWR]

A pleasure to join Chair Stefan Micevski MBA FIH, the Hospitality Association York, Institute of Hospitality members, and the CEOs of UKHospitality and Hospitality Action, Allen Simpson and Mark Lewis FIH, alongside Institute of Hospitality Chair Martin Traynor OBE, FIH, MIoD, for the Hospitality Association York annual social.

#HospitalityFamily #imin #MeetingOurMembers

[Robert Richardson FIH MI @RBWR]

Full disclosure, for the majority of my career I’ve been an operator, and I know what it feels like to go to bed hoping tomorrow’s cash flow will enable you to pay tomorrow’s bills. My heart goes out to anyone experiencing the sleepless nights that come with running a business and being responsible for the livelihoods of their teams, and their families.

This weekend held one ambition, dinner out at a restaurant that had been on the radar for a while. A restaurant that opened in 2016, and one that was only months away from celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Ten years is a huge achievement for any business, let alone one operating under some of the highest cost burdens in Europe.

Then, just two days before the booking, the restaurant closed with immediate effect. The rising costs associated with running a business in 2026 were, in the owner’s own words, the “cause of death”.

Whilst patrons, myself included, are obviously saddened by the news, for the owners this is the end of a dream. For the team, it means livelihoods lost at a time when UK unemployment is at its highest level in years, with approximately 1.78 million people currently unemployed across the country.

The owners are now filing for bankruptcy, their dream, shattered.

As tragic, and arguably avoidable, as this story is, it is by no means unique. Across the UK, hospitality businesses are closing at an alarming rate, which pushes up our obscene unemployment rates each and every day.

Last week’s local election results delivered an unambiguous message from voters, reflecting growing frustration around the rising cost of living, taxation, and economic uncertainty facing both individuals and businesses alike.

Now, against this backdrop, a backdrop of a profession that feels its voice simply is not being heard despite being one of the UK’s greatest economic and social assets, we wait to see where government takes us next.

It is a fact that hospitality is a force for good. It is an economic driver, a creator of opportunity, and one of the few professions where any person, from any background, can grow, develop, and thrive.

When hospitality succeeds, communities succeed. When hospitality is supported, the wider economy benefits too.

The organisation I lead has more members than some countries have populations, so I speak with authority when I say that even in difficult times, I remain optimistic about the resilience, determination, and spirit of our hospitality family.

This profession of ours has faced enormous challenges before, and yet it continues to innovate, adapt, and inspire.

As long as we are left able to do so.

Hospitality matters, deeply, and it deserves not only to survive, but to thrive.

#Hospitality #HospitalityFamily #HospitalityMatters #ChesterHospitality

[Robert Richardson FIH MI @RBWR]

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

[Robert Richardson FIH MI @RBWR]

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

[Robert Richardson FIH MI @RBWR]

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: https://t.co/2OcZRbQ5HO

#HospitalityFamily #CharteredStatus #Podcast

[Institute of Hospitality @IoH_Online]

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!
https://t.co/LSWwuALjaG
#imin #IoH #IoHAwards #IoHAwards2026 #ShortlistedFinalists
@RBWR

[Institute of Hospitality @IoH_Online]

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!
https://t.co/XGb8raEjXK
#imin #IoH #ScottishHospitality #IoHScotland #RoundTable #CPD
@RBWR

[Robert Richardson FIH MI @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

[Robert Richardson FIH MI @RBWR]

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.