EVENTS
CALENDAR

The Grampian Dinner

28th October 2010
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The Edinburgh Lunch

5th November 2010
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The London Lunch

25th November 2010
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The Christmas Party

2nd December 2010
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Peter Lederer Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

3rd April 2009

One of Scotland’s most respected hoteliers, Peter Lederer CBE received the prestigious Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland lifetime achievement award last night at the charity’s annual industry dinner.

Peter, who is Chairman of Gleneagles and tourism body VisitScotland and president of the Institute of Hospitality, was nominated by a group of senior hospitality professionals for his dedication to helping talented people in industry, his leadership, council and his ability to raise the aspirations of those around him.

David Cochrane, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, said, “Throughout his career Peter has helped many individuals reach great levels within our profession. He has achieved many awards and accolades but has never looked to take credit personally. It was fitting to pay tribute to Peter, not only as a leader, but also for his friendship, advice and hard work. He is an inspiration to the tourism and hospitality industry, in Scotland and beyond.”

The fund-raising Industry Dinner attracted over 450 guests. Together they raised £60,000 for HIT Scotland’s university bursary fund and industry scholarship programme. Over £2 million has been raised by HIT Scotland since the Trust’s inception in 1994. Over 8,500 students have benefited from the bursary scheme and they have awarded over 500 individual scholarships.

Peter Lederer, “The industry has been so good to me and I have always tried to give back where I can. The award was a huge surprise and it means a lot to me as it comes from the group who started HIT Scotland, all people I respect and admire. I have been involved from its beginning in 1994 and it is tremendous to see how it has grown in stature.”

“It’s important that the industry looks to continually develop and improve. Managers always say that their biggest asset is their people, and we need to invest in them even when times are tough. If we continue to raise aspirations and encourage the leaders of the tomorrow then we can come through any challenge the industry may face.”

Renowned as the industry’s flagship fundraising event, guests enjoyed this year’s 60’s theme. The Glasgow Hilton was decorated in the style of London hotspot Biba with entertainment from an Austin Powers look-a-like, dancers and a sixties tribute act.

Past winners of the lifetime achievement award are last year’s recipient Neil Thomson, Chief Executive of the Federation of Chefs Scotland, Ken McCulloch of Dakota hotels, Avril Robertson, Peter Taylor, Tony Jackson, Stewart Cameron, Andrew Fairlie, James Thomson, Tony Jackson, Stewart Cameron, David Cochrane, Larbi, Willie Pike and joint winners Eddie Friel and Jack Munro.

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