PEOPLE
Andrew Thomson takes on role as Chair of IoH Scotland
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ndrew Thomson MA MIH, Head of Hospitality, Events & Fingal, Edinburgh, has been elected Chairman of the Scotland Branch of the Institute of Hospitality (IoH), the professional body for current and aspiring managers in the hospitality industry. Thomson, who takes over from Gordon Mackintosh MIH, General Manager of the Carnoustie Golf Hotel & Spa, runs the Royal Yacht Britannia’s Hospitality & Events team and its luxury 23-cabin floating boutique hotel, Fingal at Leith.. Ken Alexander – a member of the organising committee for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and a lecturer at both City of Glasgow College and Ayrshire College – was elected to the newly created position of Vice-Chairman of the IoH Scotland Branch. Commenting on his election as Chairman, Andrew Thomson said, “I am delighted and honoured to have been elected Chairman of the Institute of Hospitality Scotland Branch. As Scotland’s hospitality industry recovers from the unprecedented challenges of the COVID pandemic, membership of our worldwide professional body is more impor tant than ever. The Institute’s priority is to nur ture future and existing talent in the industry through promoting lifelong learning and inspiring hospitality professionals to perform at their very best. Its membership grades are an industry recognised acknowledgement of each individual member’s qualifications and professional experience. As such, they are an invaluable benchmark for future employment. “With the job market opening-up again, there has never been
Head Chef Appointments Mathew Sherry has been appointed as Head Chef of Number One At The Balmoral in Edinburgh, the hotel’s fine-dining Michelin-starred restaurant. Edinburgh born Sherry joins Number One from his role as Head Chef of Michelin-starred Northcote in Lancashire, where he worked closely with Executive Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen. Prior to Northcote, Sherry spent 7 years at Castle Terrace in Edinburgh during the restaurant’s Michelinstarred reign under Chef Patron Dominic Jack. Matt Price, former head chef at Airds Hotel, has joined Douneside House in Tarland as head chef. With over 13 years’ experience in the hospitality sector, Price joins the 3 AA Rosette restaurant from Airds Hotel. Price was previously head chef at The Vineyard in Berkshire and worked at Eleven Madison Park in New York.million-pound refurbishment is creating the perfect destination in which to relax, absorb fresh coastal air and do some exploring – and I cannot wait to open our doors and welcome guests back to stay with us.”
a better time for Scotland’s hospitality managers and aspiring managers to increase their skills and knowledge through the many benefits afforded by membership, at both national and branch level. “These range from conferences, webinars, and educational and social networking events, to online learning courses and awards. “The hospitality industry is a people’s industry and having fun is also a key aspect of IoH branch life. We have just finalised two such events: a one-day golf tournament on Friday, 17 September at the Auchterarder Golf Club, Perthshire; and for food and drink lovers, a Scotland Branch Burns Night Supper, hosted by the luxury 4-star Maryculter House in Aberdeen, on Friday, 21 January 2022. I look forward to meeting new Institute of Hospitality Scotland members at these events and at our other activities over the coming months.”
AMANDA FERGUSON BECOMES NEW HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AT EDINBURGH FIRST Amanda Ferguson has been appointed by Edinburgh First – the commercial arm of the University of Edinburgh – to spearhead growth in its commercial business. Fergusson will be responsible for the University’s large hotel and venue portfolio after a difficult year for the hospitality sector. Prior to the pandemic, a typical year saw Edinburgh First host more than 1,600 events for more than 130,000 delegates across 70 venues, operate three hotels and turn its student accommodation into Scotland’s biggest hotel from May to September. She was formerly Head of Business Tourism with Marketing Edinburgh and has more than 15 years in the sector. Amanda commented: “I’m really passionate about doing what is right for the University and the City. “The economic fallout from the pandemic has brought the whole hospitality and business tourism sector to a standstill. Our goal and ambitions are to use Edinburgh First’s world class products and services to boost the local economy and mobilise the City again. I’m excited to work with the new business development team and to reignite Edinburgh’s hospitality sector.” Lyndsay Wilkie,Director of Business Development at Edinburgh First, added, “Amanda is an outstanding appointment for Edinburgh First. Creating a new business development team comes at an exciting time at Edinburgh First and we are looking forward to Amanda bringing her range of skills and experience to progress the business. We are delighted that Amanda has chosen to further her career with us, adding her valuable knowledge and expertise to the team.” HOTELSCOTLAND • 31
