Meet the Outstanding Contribution winner for The Brit List Awards 2024

With a number of renowned industry figures to choose from, competition was tough in deciding who should take the prestigious title of Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry this year, but we think you’ll agree, with a slew of accolades, Danny Pecorelli’s work in the industry is nothing short of outstanding – and therefore deserves to be recognised as such.

Image credit: Exclusive Collection

Danny Pecorelli has been at the helm of family-owned Exclusive Collection since 2001, and with a highly conscientious approach to business, he has steered Exclusive Collection to be one of the most respected independent companies in the hospitality sector.

Within the brand’s portfolio, Ansty Hall, Fanhams Hall, Lainston House, Pennyhill Park, Royal Berkshire, South Lodge, The Castle Inn, and The Manor House all echo the company’s ethos of preserving history while moving towards a better future. Under Pecorelli’s leadership, Exclusive Collection was the first UK hotel group to become a Certified B Corporation – ensuring the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Three years on and Exclusive Collection is punching for a 12% increase in its score when it’s up for accreditation later this year.

A key focus for Pecorelli has been enhancing biodiversity and carbon capture across the hotels where he has introduced Land App which has helped inform a new chapter for the hotels. At South Lodge the development of the new eco lodges (designed by Sparc Studio) has resulted in 1,500 vines with Ridgeview being planted, as well as 1,267 trees, and 317 shrubs. The hotel expects to produce 30,000 bottles of English sparkling wine and is collaborating with Pelegrims to create beauty products from vine leaves.

South Lodge: Image courtesy of Exclusive Collection

Having developed a culture built around the pillars of wellness, innovation, people, and planet, Pecorelli has instilled a familial culture in the business where members of the team at each of the group’s hotels are treated as individuals and given opportunities for development and growth – acknowledging that people are their greatest asset. This has seen the group’s employee retention figures soar well above industry standards.

From this thinking, Pecorelli saw an opportunity to put a programme in place to champion young culinary talent and opened a Chef’s Academy, giving participants the opportunity to learn from some of the most prominent chefs in the UK whilst receiving a salary for two years. The programme sees participants train in Exclusive’s award-winning Rosette and Michelin star kitchens, understand seasonality and the farming calendar and develop confidence through structured, mentored personal development.

A visionary and advocate of socially conscious businesses, Pecorelli has a reputation amongst his peers for championing the hospitality sector. He’s a founder of Back to the Floor, which raised more than £250K this year for Hospitality Action while Exclusive Collection donated £105,000 to charities Hospitality Action and Protect Earth, as well as another £25,000 to each of Exclusive’s hotels’ chosen charities.

Commenting on his award, Danny Pecorelli told Hotel Designs: “It’s incredible to be given this award alongside such amazing and inspirational hoteliers, designers and architects. To be recognised for the job that you love and for the achievements in the areas you are passionate about; sustainability, developing talent and creating beautifully curated customer experiences, in partnership with those architects and designers is very humbling – thank you Brit List.”

Ansty Hall: image courtesy of Exclusive Collection

How to attend the award ceremony of The Brit List Awards 2024

All designers, architects and hoteliers that have been shortlisted will receive an email asking them to confirm their complimentary ticket to attend the awards ceremony on November 6th at Ministry of Sound.

Outside of the shortlist, if you’re a designer, architect, hotelier or developer, you can purchase your Brit List tickets here. Suppliers, and anyone else wishing to attend, can purchase supplier tickets to The Brit List here.

Main image credit: Exclusive Collection