The journey to receiving a Royal Charter is long and if successful, the IoH would be the first and only Chartered Institute in the hospitality sector.
Storey said: “A Charter is a mark of recognition for professional bodies. As the fourth largest employer in the UK, hospitality is critical to the economy. As the global professional body representing our industry, providing a forum for management, it is important the Institute of Hospitality and the professionals within our industry receive the professional recognition they deserve, reflecting their status.”
British Royal Charters have been awarded for over a thousand years and less than 2.5% of those that applied from 2000-2013 were successful. Approximately 20% of professional bodies based in the UK have a Royal Charter or Warrant.
Robert Richardson FIH, chief executive of the IoH, added: “To receive this major injection of support from Alastair to allow us to advance the process is incredible. We are deeply privileged that he believes in our team, our members, and the Institute as a Chartered body.”