James B. Clarke MI, General Manager at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, has been appointed as the new chair of the Master Innholders for 2024-2026.

Announced at the Master Innholders Annual General Meeting on 12 September 2024, James will take over from outgoing chair Dan-Rose Bristow MI, owner of The Torridon, and will be supported by the Master Innholders Executive Committee.

James brings with him over 30 years of experience within the hospitality industry, offering a wealth of experience he has gained from around the world.

Alongside his work in the UK at various hotels including Grosvenor House, London Hilton on Park Lane and Hilton London Bankside, James’s career has also taken him to the US. He has worked at various prestigious hotels during his time there, including the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Boca West Country Club and The Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Always striving for the best throughout his career, James has been recognised with two Cateys while at the Grosvenor House Hotel; the UK Conference and Banqueting Department of the Year 2009 and Food & Beverage Manager of the Year in 2010 and UK Hotel of the Year 2020 Cateys.

Commenting on his appointment as chair, James B. Clarke MI said:

“It is both an honour and a privilege to be chosen as the next Chair of the Master Innholders and to help continue the incredible work that Dan-Rose Bristow MI and the rest of our Master Innholders have done these past few years.

“I hope to continue that work by not only ensuring the Master Innholders remain as the leading force and voice in the hotel industry, but also ensuring our education initiatives, such as the Aspiring Leaders Diploma and Innholder Scholarships, continue to support young professionals develop in their career to become leaders in their own right.”

With the appointment of James as Chair, the Master Innholders have also announced the appointment of Zoe Jenkins MI, general manager at Coworth Park, as Vice Chair of the Master Innholders.

Zoe headed up the build and opening team of Coworth Park as director of operations before being promoted to general manager in 2010. Since that time, Zoe has worked to nurture and position Coworth Park as a key player in the luxury country house hotel market in the UK.