Honourable Order of International Hotel General Managers (HOIHGm) has officially launched from its first regional headquarters in Dubai, UAE. The international organisation – the world’s first and only initiative of its kind dedicated exclusively to the hotel general management community – is designed to raise the profile of hotel GMs, whilst providing a range of professional and personal membership benefits, such as portable healthcare and insurance options.
Membership is open to all hotel GMs, those who have previously served in the position, owner/operators, as well as retirees and aspiring young professionals on the career path to becoming a GM. HOIHGm was founded by Mr. Leon Larkin, an Australian national with over 40 years’ experience as a GM in some of the world’s leading hotels in Europe, Asia and Australia.
Major players from the hospitality industry include:
Richard Hartman – Non-Executive Director for Jumeirah Group, former CEO of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, former Board Director and MD of InterContinental Hotels Group, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Giovanni Angelini – Former CEO of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts and knighted by the Italian government.
Heikki Julin – Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors at Olympia Air Travel, Captain in the Finnish Defence Force.
Joseph A. McInerney – Emeritus President and CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association.
Kees Hartzuiker – CEO, Roya International Dubai, former VP Asia, Hilton International.
Peter Thompson – Former Starwood Vice-President for Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand and former GM of the Royal Hawaiian Waikiki Beach, Sheraton On The Park and Four Points by Sheraton, Sydney.
Philip Carruthers – Former regional MD for Orient-Express Hotels and former MD of Copacabana Palace, Brazil.
Hans Olbertz – Board Member of Steigenberger Hotels, hospitality consultant, former GM of Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi and a longstanding career with IHG.
Prue Leith CBE – Restaurateur, author, businesswoman, philanthropist, former board member of Belmond (formerly Orient-Express Hotels).
Ruth Hunt – Hotelier, entrepreneur, former proprietor of Combe House Devon, UK, soon to be The Pig at Combe.
Erhard Hotter – Industry veteran for over 40 years in Australia and Asia, Former Starwood VP and MD for South Asia.