General managers and heads of departments in the UK hospitality industry have the opportunity to receive career-changing leadership and development as applications for this year’s Innholder Scholarships are now open.
Created by the Master Innholders, the Innholder Scholarships will see up to 12 successful applicants awarded a fully funded scholarship worth over £11,000 for one of two world-renowned management courses, both designed to help hotel professionals develop their management and leadership capabilities and broaden their expertise within the industry.?
The two courses available this year include the Talent Development Programme at Cranfield University, Buckinghamshire, UK, and the General Managers Programme at Cornell University in New York, USA.
Each course will see successful applicants undertake live virtual courses taught by leading hospitality lecturers over several months, as well as several day visits to the campuses throughout the year to help reinforce learning and network with peers in person.
The Talent Development Programme is designed for early career professionals looking to develop their management and leadership capabilities, while the General Managers Programme aims to support general managers and senior hospitality professionals in identifying key challenges and opportunities facing hospitality businesses today.
Speaking on the announcement of the Innholder Scholarships reopening, Grant Campbell IS MI, General Manager at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square and current Innholder Scholars chair, said:
“For me, the best thing about the Innholder Scholarships is that they are open to anyone in the hotel industry.?Previous scholarship winners have come from all corners?of?the UK, from small independent?hotels to some of the biggest hotel chains?in our industry.
“It’s important that as we develop the leaders of?the future that we are embracing the many different people that make up our?great industry, which is why I always encourage hotel professionals with?management potential to apply for the scholarships. Beyond the ongoing Innholder Scholarship award, the alumni and continual learning that comes ensures that the leadership potential continually develops. It is a tremendous opportunity to benefit from”.
Alongside receiving the respective school’s degree upon completion of the programme, recipients of the Innholder Scholarships are also invited to become Innholder Scholars. Newly revamped for 2025, the Innholder Scholars are made up of the programme’s alumni, regularly meeting throughout the year to host events, share advice and support current scholarship recipients, as well as those looking to apply.
Now in its 28th year, the Innholder Scholarships have provided millions of pounds in funding for over 300 promising hotel professionals since its inception.
Previous Innholder Scholarships recipients include Damien Martin MIH IG IS, General Manager at The Parkgate Hotel Cardiff, Rachael Stevens FIH IS, Rooms Division Manager at Pennyhill Park and Stephen Robson MIH IS, General Manager at Wivenhoe House Hotel.
Speaking on her own experiences on the Talent Development Programme at Cranfield University, Rachael Stevens FIH IS said:
“While challenging, studying on the Talent Development Programme has allowed me to delve into and develop my leadership capabilities beyond what would have been achievable through routine experience alone.
“It has provided me with valuable broader insights into the application of management principles not only within the hotel industry but across a range of sectors, enabling me to effectively integrate these into my own role as I continue progressing my career.”
The deadline for applications is Thursday 31 July 2025.? Applicants who are invited for interview at Innholders’ Hall in London must be available on Wednesday 15 October 2025.?
To find out more and download an application from, please visit the Master Innholders website.
