The Brit List top 25 Hoteliers of 2025

The Brit List Awards 2025, held on 5^th November at Ministry of Sound, saw 13 individual winners awarded for categories ranging from Best in British Product Design to Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality Industry.

The ceremony also marked the launch of The Brit List 2025 – Hotel Design’s annual print publication listing the top 25 Architects, Hoteliers, and Interior Designers of the year.

Having announced the top 25 interior designers of 2025 last week, this post marks the second instalment of our three-part editorial series revealing the top 25 in each category, we’re taking a look at the profiles of this year’s winning hoteliers…

Winner: Hotelier of the Year 2025

Samantha van Exter, Head of Hotels, Montcalm Collection

Since her appointment as Head of Hotels at Montcalm Collection in September 2023, Samantha van Exter has redefined what it means to be a modern hotelier; leading with vision, digital innovation, and a deeply rooted commitment to responsible luxury. In a short time, Samantha has revitalised Montcalm Collection, repositioned it for future growth, and embedded sustainability and social purpose into its core. Her leadership has not only elevated the guest experience across the portfolio but also inspired a new chapter of hospitality excellence in the heart of London.

At the heart of Samantha’s leadership is an unwavering dedication to people; whether it’s empowering her team, elevating the guest journey, or supporting communities through thoughtful partnerships. Her style is collaborative, creative and deeply intentional. She balances commercial focus with human empathy, proving that profitability and purpose can go hand in hand in the hospitality world.

Highly commended: Hotelier of the Year 2025

Thomas Kochs, Managing Director, Claridge’s

Returning to Claridge’s this year (following directorships at Corinthia and Hotel Café Royal), Thomas Kochs has redefined what it means to lead a world-class hotel, and is set to elevate the London landmark’s reputation as the ultimate address for discerning travellers – seamlessly blending heritage and innovation.

Kochs’ hallmark is service that feels as personal as it is precise. He has cultivated a culture where staff anticipate needs intuitively, ensuring that every guest – from royalty to first-time visitors – feels equally valued. His commitment to staff empowerment, diversity, and professional growth has built one of the most loyal and motivated teams in the industry.

Guy Hilton, Area General Manager, The Waldorf Hilton, London

Joining in October 2016, The Waldorf Hilton is Guy’s sixth Hilton property. Due to his outstanding commitment to hospitality and the hotel, Guy was promoted to Area General Manager in January 2023, and is now responsible for The Waldorf Hilton, Hilton London Hyde Park and Curio Hart Shoreditch and Guy won the Hilton UKI Special Recognition Awards – London Luxury, Ireland. Always community-minded, Guy has agreed partnerships with a variety of charities, including St Martin in the Fields, The Passage, Workfit and Springboard to name a few.

There is a strong DE&I committee and the hotel applies a focus to ESG; team members have organised charity clothing drives and created initiatives to clean up the local area. 2024 was a busy year, once again Guy travelled to China to support the Hilton GM sales mission, and further develop relationships with key partners, whilst continuing to mentor six individuals.

Tracy Lowy, Owner, Director, The Laslett

Lowy’s journey began in 1999 with a vision well ahead of its time. Identifying a gap in the luxury market, she founded Living Rooms to offer modern, fully serviced apartments that cater to travellers seeking the privacy and personality of a home with the convenience of a hotel.

A defining trait of Lowy’s work is her commitment to crafting spaces with soul that reflect and celebrate their local surroundings. Nowhere is this more evident than
The Laslett in Notting Hill. Housed within five Victorian townhouses, the hotel, the first for the group, is named after community activist Rhaune Laslett, founder of the Notting Hill Carnival. Inside, the interiors are curated in collaboration with British designers and artists, including the renowned Waldo Works, resulting in a vibrant, authentic expression of the neighbourhood’s cultural legacy. The Laslett isn’t just a place to stay; it tells the story of Notting Hill’s creative history. Celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, it continues to be celebrated as one of London’s most cherished boutique hotels.

Sama Trinder, CEO, Bingham Riverhouse

In 1984, Bill and Ruth Trinder purchased a trio of crumbling townhouses, transforming them into a family home and B&B. Growing up, their daughter, Sama, recalls counting coins with her father as he did the weekly cashing up, fondly recalling Richmond’s first boutique hotel as ‘a bit of a faulty towers’. Taking over the business in 2001, aged only 22, a lot has changed at Bingham Riverhouse since then, from renovations to the incorporation of Sama’s yoga studio and the opening of a member’s club.

Flash forward to 2024, and under Sama’s guidance, Bingham Riverhouse has become one of the first B Corp accredited hotels in the UK. Nestled on the banks of the River Thames and home to an award-winning restaurant, Bingham Riverhouse is a cherished family-run haven with a commitment to community, sustainability and soulful living.

Ben Harper, Group Managing Director, The Watergate Bay Group

As Group Managing Director at The Watergate Bay group of companies, Ben is responsible for delivering the vision and growth agenda across the three businesses: Watergate Bay Hotel, SeaSpace and Another Place. His role is to set the vision and agenda for the three brands, ensuring sustainable growth in line with the group’s Bcorp values.

Understanding that people are the business’s biggest asset, teams at each hotel are supported to progress their careers, whilst ensuring their wellbeing is being looked after. Looking to the future of the business, Ben has spent the last five years locking into a plan and setting up opportunities for growth, and now there is a pipeline for all three brands. They’re all born out of the lifestyle brand positioning, which really connects with people as they look for hospitality experiences beyond a cookie cutter experience they might have been drawn to five or 10 years ago.

Ed White, General Manager, St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London

In the competitive world of luxury hospitality, Ed White stands out as a leader who blends operational excellence with an infectious passion for people. As General Manager of the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London, he has turned a historic landmark into one of the capital’s most sought-after luxury destinations, balancing its Victorian grandeur with a contemporary, guest-centred approach.

The St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is not just a hotel – it’s an architectural icon. Under Ed White’s stewardship, the property’s heritage has been meticulously preserved while being re-energised with modern luxury touches. From refurbishing heritage suites to reimagining the dining and events spaces, every initiative under his leadership strengthens the hotel’s status as both a historic treasure and a vibrant hub for today’s travellers. Ed’s philosophy is simple: every guest interaction matters. His leadership has elevated service standards, with consistently outstanding guest satisfaction scores and glowing reviews.

Chris King, Founder, Crafted

Crafted is a new collection of life-friendly hotels and clubs founded by Chris King, co-founder of the original Birch hotel. Designed for modern lives craving more connection, creativity, and calm, each location is a reimagined space where guests can rest, restore, and reconnect – with nature, craft, food, and community.

Launching in late 2025 with Crafted at Powdermills, the brand brings together hospitality, wellness, and creativity after a transformation of the hotel in East Sussex. The debut site comprises comprising 55 rooms built around a seven-acre private lake, with access to woodland and wildflower fields. King’s aim is to grow Crafted into a portfolio of hotels and clubs across the ‘UK and beyond’.

Nicola James, General Manager, Templeton Garden

Earlier this year, Nicola James took on a new general manager role, heading up the UK debut from a new hotel group, Miiro. After a transformation of seven former townhouses in Earls Court, Nicolaoversaw all aspects of Templeton Garden’s opening in the summer.

Nicola joined Miiro last summer from her most recent position as General Manager at Holmes Hotel, which is located on Marylebone’s Chiltern Street. Prior to this she spent more than a decade with Firmdale Hotels in senior management roles at both Charlotte Street Hotel and Covent Garden Hotel. Nicola said: “I am honoured to be here from the very beginning, to be building a passionate team and to be playing a part in shaping the property’s future.” Nicola’s responsibilities include shaping the guest experience, curating the hotel’s F&B spaces and building the team with key members already appointed.

Robert Godwin, CEO, Lamington Group

Robert Godwin is known for his innovative approach to hospitality and commitment to sustainability. A trained economist and entrepreneur, Robert’s journey includes a background in competitive sailing for Great Britain, showcasing his drive for excellence. With a passion for design, sustainability, and creating exceptional user experiences, he continuously pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in his field.

Robert spearheaded a shift to put sustainability at the heart of the business in 2020, Lamington has since launched its detailed roadmap to net zero by 2030, opened the world’s first whole life net zero hotel in Chiswick in Dec 2021, and committed to only build to this specification going forwards. has plans for further developments across the UK, with vertical gardens incorporated to city lifestyle hotels that sits within the business strategy of continuous investment, innovation and evolution to be at the forefront of accommodation providers.

Mairead Gleeson, Hotel Director, The Ned London

Mairead Gleeson is a shining example of a hospitality professional who has worked their way to the top. Moving to the UK from her native Ireland after university, Mairead began her career in hospitality working front of house at boutique property Malmaison Edinburgh. Mairead hit the big leagues when she became general manager of Shoreditch House, part of Nick Jones’ ever-expanding empire of members clubs. In 2019, she took a break from hotels to become head of operations at Market Halls, a popular street food concept. In this role, Mairead oversaw the launch of the brand’s Oxford Street site, as well as managing overall operations across three locations.

In 2021, she made a return to hotels, being appointed as hotel director of The Pig in the South Downs, which marked the eighth site from Robin and Judy Hutson’s beloved boutique brand and opened to critical acclaim. As of last year, Mairead is now hotel director of The Ned London and is kept busy overseeing the hotel’s 250 rooms, 10 restaurants and 17 bars.

Tessa Gorman, Managing Director, Rosewood London

At the beginning of 2024, Tessa Gorman joined Rosewood London as the hotel’s new managing director, marking a return to her home city after 17 years working abroad. Boasting nearly 20 years’ experience, Tessa has enjoyed an illustrious career within the luxury hospitality sector – inclusive of roles within Aman, Bvlgari and Cheval-Blanc, among many others. She most recently held a general manager position at One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro, and has previously headed up Bvlgari Resort Bali and Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Thailand.

When her appointment at Rosewood London was announced, Tessa commented: “I am thrilled to be joining the Rosewood family, a brand I have long admired, as managing director of Rosewood London. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this beautiful historic property, which has become an integral part of London life.”

Tej Walia, Managing Director, Foxhills Club & Resort

Since joining Foxhills in 2018, Tej Walia has led significant growth at the resort including the build and launch of a new £7m family building, The Pavilion – part of a £25m investment project which also involved renovation and improvement work in the restaurants, bedrooms and golf courses.

After five successful years as general manager, he was promoted to MD in 2023. Since then, Tej has led successful launches of padel and pickleball courts, a state-of-the-art gym refurbishment, and a £2m renovation of the Longcross golf course. The resort also saw record-breaking Christmas success in 2024, with a 43% increase in room occupancy across the festive period and a 146% increase in attendance for its New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Tej, whose career spans more than 25 years across hotels in India and the UK, will continue to oversee investment at the resort, with the launch of a spa garden slated for 2026.

Damien Martin, General Manager, The Parkgate Hotel

Since coming on board as GM in 2022, Damien Martin has steered The Parkgate Hotel to significant growth. His notable wins include transforming a small five-treatment room spa into a £1m operation, with a 23% increase in revenue over two years, and revitalising The Parkgate Hotel’s F&B offering by tracking trends and curating seasonal menus, which led to both increased guest engagement and dining revenues.

The impact of Damien’s leadership goes beyond his own property. He spearheaded the Supported Internship Program – the first of its kind in Welsh hospitality – offering roles to young people with learning disabilities.

Damien also serves as chairman of both the Cardiff Hoteliers Association and the Master Innholders MIALD Alumni. He also pioneered Walk for Wellbeing Cardiff, raising over £10k for mental health initiatives.

Rike Erdbrink, General Manager, Park Hyatt London River Thames

Rike Erdbrink is the GM of Park Hyatt London River Thames, which opened in October 2024 as the only Park Hyatt property in the UK. Overlooking the River Thames and offering sweeping views of the city’s skyline, the 203-key hotel has quickly established itself among the Capital’s famously competitive luxury hotel scene.

Rike’s career with Hyatt Hotels Corporation began in 2001 as an apprentice at Park Hyatt Hamburg. Throughout her tenure, she has held key leadership positions at prestigious Hyatt properties across multiple continents, including significant roles in Hong Kong and Chicago. She is known for having a passionate and empowering leadership style, and her ability to blend cultural insights with operational excellence has seen her successfully handle pre-openings and operations across diverse markets spanning Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.

Sherene Fuller, Executive Director, Karma Sanctum Soho

Since a part-time job at The Penthouse nightclub in Leicester Square made her fall in love with the scene 20 years ago, Sherene Fuller has gone on to work at some of the hottest venues in the capital. She was part of the opening team at Gilgamesh Restaurant in Camden and also spent six years at celebrity hotspot Zuma. She now finds herself at Concept Venues, who own Karma Sanctum Soho and Sanctum on the Green.

In 2023, Sherene launched the Sanctum’s first ever membership scheme which now has over 1,000 members. She is also an advocate for personalised service and you will often find her chatting to guests.

Silmiya Hendricks, Commercial Director, Iconic Luxury Hotels

Silmiya Hendricks was appointed commercial director at Iconic Luxury Hotels last year, joining from her role as director of member services for UK and Ireland with Relais & Chateaux. Prior to this she spent five years with Lucknam Park, where she implemented systems to maximise profitability and consistently increased revenues across the business.

Now she has joined Iconic Luxury Hotels at a pivotal time for the group, as it embarks on a journey of growth new acquisitions and HMAs. At the time Andrew Stembridge, chief executive at the ILH said that the business was ‘lucky to have such a passionate, energetic, innovative and commercially-savvy hospitality professional to support all its properties’. Silmiya began her career at Hilton in Sri Lanka and came to London for Park Plaza in 2004. Since then she has gained extensive experience with the likes of Millennium and Copthorne and Hilton in London and Doha.

Susanne Traudt, General Manager, The Bloomsbury

Previously Operations Director at The Royal Exchange and then F&B Director at South Place Hotel upon its launch in 2012, Susanne’s leadership helped shape the unique experience at Angler, South Place’s fine-dining restaurant, which won a Michelin star within one year of opening. Soon after, Traudt progressed to Manager and then finally General Manager.

In 2022 Susanne joined The Bloomsbury Hotel, part of The Doyle Collection. Since joining, she has navigated post-Covid strategic growth plans, re-established the core values and DNA of The Doyle Collection into the hotel and has overseen various refurbishment projects within the guestrooms and F&B outlets.

Eljesa Saciri, General Manager, The Zetter Marylebone

Having worked in the industry for close to a decade, Eljesa Saciri has a wealth of knowledge and experience. She previously held a number of roles within The Doyle Collection and in her current role as general manager of The Zetter Marylebone, Eljesa has been integral to the hotel achieving an annual turnover of £2.7 million and a high guest satisfaction rating of 92% on GuestRevu.

In the last two years, Eljesa has played a crucial role in the re-branding of The Zetter, from leading the development of aligning operating assets within the brand, to spearheading a large part of The Zetter Bloomsbury project and other upcoming expansions for the group, ensuring that The Zetter re-birth is seamless.

Karen de Koning, General Manager, Grove of Narberth

Karen joined the Grove of Narberth in 2017 as reception and reservations manager. With experience under her belt at the likes of Gidleigh Park and Cliveden, in the five years following, the promotions came fast and in 2022 she was named Hotel Manager. Her team describes her as a ‘stalwart’ of the hotel and that her dedication, support and continued pursuit of excellence are a ‘joy to work with’.

With a bright future beckoning, her efforts were recognised by the Master Innholders in 2022 and she won The GM of the Future award, beating off stiff competition from around the industry. The dynamic young professional was commended for her extra mile attitude and commitment to becoming a future leader, inspiring others along the way. Last year, Karen was promoted to General Manager, a testament to her hard work and expertise.

Oliver Paolo Gillow, General Manager, Hyde London

Oliver Paolo Gillow, Hyde London City’s General Manager, is a forward-thinking and commercially astute hotel leader, with two decades of experience shaping high-performing operations in leading luxury and lifestyle brands.

Expert in all phases of hotel development, from pre-opening strategy to driving year-on-year growth and profitability, he is a hands-on General Manager with a strong background in food & beverage, including team building, brand partnerships, and the creation of Michelin-starred dining concepts. Known for building cultures of excellence, optimising operational performance, and delivering guest experiences that drive both loyalty and financial success.

Amy Gleadow, General Manager, The Bird

Since taking the helm at The Bird, Bath, part of the Kaleidoscope Collection, in 2023, Amy Gleadow has spearheaded a remarkable repositioning of the hotel, revitalising its brand and profitability. Her vision has been instrumental in restoring The Bird’s restaurant to its rightful place on Bath’s vibrant culinary scene, attracting both locals and visitors alike.

Recognising the challenges of a saturated market in Bath, Gleadow has championed brand agility, constantly adapting and innovating to drive direct bookings and achieve sustainable growth. Her focus on understanding evolving guest preferences and implementing targeted marketing strategies has resulted in significant increases in direct revenue. She fosters a culture of collaboration and empowerment, inspiring her team to deliver exceptional service and personalised experiences.

Oliver Milne-Watson, General Manager, The Newman

Since 2020, Oliver held a Director of Operations role at Penshee, working with companies across multiple industries, from London estates to law firms and hospitality groups. He supported these businesses in understanding the emotional intelligence behind world-class service.

Prior to this, he spent five years at The Goring in Belgravia, before opening The Beaumont in Mayfair where he worked his way up to Hotel Manager through various senior commercial and operational roles.

Over the last year, Oliver has been recruiting his senior team ahead of the opening of The Newman, on site constantly overseeing the transition from building site to operational hotel, and promoting the brand. His energy and support of the team is boundless.

Mark Jonathan Heyburn, General Manager, Sir Devonshire

Mark is a results-driven hospitality leader with over two decades of experience in strategic development, marketing, and sales across the global hotel landscape. Renowned for his vision, agility, and people-first leadership, he has held senior roles at some of the world’s most respected brands including The Peninsula Hotels, The Hay-Adams, Dorsett Hospitality, and The Lore Group, where he was instrumental in the successful launch of One Hundred Shoreditch in East London. He is currently the opening General Manager for Sir Devonshire Square, the first UK hotel for Sir Hotels, part of the Sircle Collection, where he is leading the project from pre-opening through to full launch and bringing the brand’s bold creative energy to the London market.

A true expert in hotel openings, Mark has launched five properties across Europe, the US, and Asia, guiding each from concept through to delivery with a sharp focus on operations, branding, and team culture.

Eugene Leonard , General Manager, Hotel Café Royal

Since joining Café Royal, a key priority for Eugene Leonard has been strengthening the internal culture, working hard to foster a sense of purpose among the hotel staff, ensuring they understand and embody the values that define the brand.

Operationally, Eugene has refined several key guest touchpoints – paying particular attention to arrival experiences, in-room moments, and the overall dining journey. Small details, consistently delivered, to elevate a guest experience from good to exceptional. Behind the scenes, Eugene has pushed for more efficient systems, enabling staff to spend more time with guests and less on logistics. “The goal is simple,” he says, “to be more present, more responsive, and more human in every interaction. To stand out, we must remain agile, progressive, and deeply attuned to what matters most to our guests.”

Main image credit: Hotel Designs