Kenneth Speirs - FIH MI

Managing Director

Lime Wood

Kenneth studied Hotel and Catering Management at Napier University, Edinburgh in his native Scotland. After working with Radisson Edwardian Hotels in London for 5 years from 1990, Kenneth moved into the serviced apartments sector at The Ascott Mayfair. This was followed by a refurbishment and re-branding project at 51 Buckingham Gate. By 2003 Kenneth was General Manager of The Halkin Hotel until 2012. Under his leadership the hotel was awarded 5 AA Red Stars for the first time in 2006 and won Visit London’s ‘Small Hotel of the Year’ in 2005 and 2007. In in the summer of 2012 Kenneth, his wife Maria and three boys relocated to The New Forest where Kenneth took up his the position of Hotel Director at Lime Wood, now Managing Director. During this time and under Kenneth’s stewardship Lime Wood has continued to receive acclaim for its relaxed and informal style of luxury hospitality. A significant part of Kenneth’s role is guiding and mentoring the two hundred or so young employees to deliver this high level of hospitality. As a Master Innholder and Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, Kenneth actively extends his role within a wider context of industry. Working locally with schools and colleges to encourage the young into industry and through MI and other industry mentoring scheme he believes it is vital to develop a culture that will inspire a career in hospitality and bring on our future leaders.