Bespoke Hotels’ Robin Sheppard named chairman of the Institute of Hospitality

Independent hotel group, Bespoke Hotels, has announced that its chairman and co-founder, Robin Sheppard has been appointed chairman of the Institute of Hospitality.

Having been an active member for 35 years, Sheppard joins the organisation as it embarks on an expansion to cover over 100 countries worldwide.

Having recently entered its 80th year, the Institute offers professional development opportunities to its members, alongside quality promoting standards across the industry through awards, training programmes, and qualifications.

Sheppard is a trained hotelier with over 40 years’ experience in the industry, and his experience and contribution towards hospitality was what helped him to attain the new role.

He said: “It is a great honour and extremely humbling experience to have been nominated by the Institute. It is so valuable for managers across the hotel sector to be able to inspire one another, share expertise and knowledge, as well as to meet and socialise.

“The Institute of Hospitality has always been a tremendous vehicle for this, and I hope to provide many more opportunities for members to learn from one another in future.”

Peter Ducker, chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality, added: “We are delighted to welcome Robin to the fold. “He has long been a vocal and active member of the organisation, and we have no doubt will take the Institute and its members to new heights in the coming years, not least with regards to his passion for accessible tourism and inclusive hotel design.”