Stephen Carter named 2011 Hotelier of the Year

Stephen Carter, chairman of De Vere Cameron House on Loch Lomond has been named as the 2011 Hotelier of the Year.

He was presented with his award at a celebratory lunch today at Chewton Glen in New Milton, Hampshire, by Mark Lewis, the editor of Caterer and Hotelkeeper.

A panel of former winners of the Hotelier of the Year award, now in its 29th year and sponsored by the Casna Group, selected Carter as the 2011 winner for the outstanding contribution he has made to the hospitality industry during his 40 year-long career and his dedication to encouraging and developing young people both at Cameron House and within the wider industry.

Andrew Stembridge, managing director of Chewton Glen and 2010 Hotelier of the Year described Carter as one of the most generous hoteliers on the planet. “He’s thoroughly old fashioned in his approach to hospitality, but perfectly modern when it comes to nurturing his team. He’s been quietly doing marvellous things in Scotland forever and hence this worthy recognition is long overdue.”

Carter has been at Cameron House since 2008 since when he has steered the property through a £50m refurbishment to create a resort with 128 bedrooms, 115 time-share lodges, the Carrick spa with 17 treatment rooms and a PGA championship course.  Annual turnover of the resort has risen from £12m in 2008 to the £25m today.

Earlier in his career, Carter oversaw the development and opening of the five-star St Andrews Bay Golf Resort & Spa, and held positions as operations director at Cliveden and general manager of the Caledonian hotel in Edinburgh.

He is a board member of Visit Scotland, has been chairman of the Hospitality Industry Trust for Scotland for 11 years and is a founding director of the International Leadership School in Glasgow.

By Janet Harmer