Community for hotel general managers has launched

The Honourable Order of International Hotel General Managers (HOIHGM) has officially launched from its first regional headquarters in Dubai, UAE.

Its founder, Leon Larkin, has said it is the world's only initiative of its kind dedicated to the hotel general management community. "There is absolutely no society or organisation that is interested in international hotel general managers," he told Hotelier Middle East in an interview.

The international organisation 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.

Larkin is an Australian national with over 40 years' experience as a GM in hotels across Europe, Asia and Australia. He said in a statement: "During my career I came to realise that there was something significant missing for GMs on a collective scale, in some ways similar to what the concierges have with Les Clefs d'Or. Before now, GMs have had nowhere to go for independent assistance or support, both in general and particularly in times of need.

"HOIHGm will provide a thread of continuity and range of benefits which reflect the challenges our colleagues face throughout their careers and beyond - the number one incentive being an elective portable healthcare insurance plan for themselves and their families."

Following the launch, the first phase of applicants will be made 'founding members' and granted special privileges including additional voting rights, fixed membership fees for three years, as well as access to exclusive discounts and events.

Later this year, the organisation will host its debut World Congress in Dubai on the topic of 'Hotel Security in Today's World' and feature awards such as 'International Hotel General Manager of the Year' and a 'Lifetime Achievement Award'. Larkin told Hotelier the congress will cover fire-life safety, cyber security, terrorism security, and so on.

In addition to Larkin as president, HOIHGM has an international board of governors comprising 11 high-profile alumni from the global hospitality industry.

Article continues on the next page with more about the board of governors...

The board of governors 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 & 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 & 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.

For  enquiries contact Rebecca Howard and Karen Hoey at membership@hoihgm.com. Larkin has revealed to Hotelier that annual membership fees will range from US $495-995 depending on the tier of membership.

Read the full interview with Larkin in the April 2015 issue of Hotelier Middle East.