After 14 years in the Royal Household, Griffiths is returning to the commercial sector, working alongside Alastair Storey, chairman and chief executive of WSH, and fellow board colleagues. He will take up his appointment in February 2015.
Griffiths, said: “I have been privileged to work in the Royal Household for many wonderful years and I am very proud that it is now recognised as a beacon of high standards within the hospitality Industry.
“It is with great enthusiasm that I am now making my return to the commercial sector, to share the knowledge and experience I have gained, and join a team which I believe shares those same fine values and aspirations of quality of service, amongst a creative and passionate workforce.”
Storey added: “I am delighted that Edward Griffiths has decided to join our board. His background and achievements in the hospitality industry are absolutely unique.
“We have collaborated closely with Edward throughout our work on The Gold Service Scholarship and his passion for excellence and for developing team members is in perfect harmony with our own beliefs.
“He will bring practical and strategic guidance to our business and the WSH team. I am very much looking forward to working with him in the years ahead.”
Griffiths graduated from Ealing Hotel School (now part of the University of West London), from which he has since been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science in 2011 for his ongoing work in the training and development of young people in the Industry, together with his work in developing the first nationally accredited Butler’s Diploma.
After various management positions working in South Africa for Southern Sun Hotels, he returned to the UK and joined the Roux brothers to manage their contract catering division.
Following its acquisition by Compass in 1994, he became managing director of Roux Fine Dining Ltd.
After a brief period developing and managing his own consultancy, he joined the Royal Household in April 2001.
In 2012, together with a small group of Industry Leaders, he became a Trustee on the Board of the Gold Service Scholarship, which launched its first Scholarship in October 2012, encouraging young people to develop their skills and promoting service excellence within the industry through training and mentoring.
A Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality (FIH), a board member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, and a patron of the University of West London, he was made a Commander of the Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2013 New Year Honours List and won the Cost Sector Catering Public Sector Award 2014 for his work with the Royal Household.