Congratulations to the winners of the 17th Annual Concierge Awards, held this week at Pan Pacific London.
Almost 300 guests from London’s hospitality, theatre, retail and tourism industries, together with the Concierge community and hotel general managers, gathered for The Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain & the Commonwealth Awards 2024.
Organised by The Tourism Media Group in partnership with The Society of the Golden Keys Great Britain and The Commonwealth (Les Clefs d’Or), proceedings were held in the grand Ballroom. Headline sponsor was Metropolitan Gaming Group and compere for the evening was former Concierge, George Murray.
THE 2024 AWARD WINNERS ARE:
YOUNG CONCIERGE OF THE YEAR AWARD, sponsored by Tootbus: Jack McCarthy, Concierge Manager at 1 Hotel Mayfair.
LONDON CONCIERGE OF THE YEAR AWARD, sponsored by Golden Tours: Simone Caretti, Head Concierge at The BoTree.
REGIONAL CONCIERGE OF THE YEAR AWARD, sponsored by American Express Travel: Alan McDougall, Head Concierge at Mar Hall Hotel, Glasgow.
SERVICE THROUGH FRIENDSHIP AWARD, sponsored by Big Bus Tours: Karim Bernichi, Head Concierge at Hotel Café Royal.
CONCIERGE CHOICE, RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR, sponsored by The Tourism Media Group: Novikov Restaurant & Bar, Mayfair, London.
BUSINESS AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR AWARD, sponsored by The Society of the Golden Keys: Eagles Chauffeurs.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, sponsored by ABBA Voyage: Madeleine Calon, Head Concierge at The Beaumont and past President of The Society of the Golden Keys.
Young Concierge of the Year
This year’s Young Concierge of the Year Award was in memory of Les Clefs d’Or member Jack Kidd (1994-2024), Concierge of The Goring.
As winner of the Young Concierge of the Year Award, Jack McCarthy will attend the 69th International UICH Congress in Madrid, Spain, where he will represent the British section of The Society of The Golden Keys to compete in the International Young Concierge of the Year Award.
Toru Machida, President of The Society of The Golden Keys of Great Britain, said:
"As suggested by many members, colleagues, even general managers, we decided to name this year’s Young Concierge of the Year after Jack Kidd to pay tribute to him. The winner of this award will be heading to Madrid to attend the 69th UICH International Congress to represent the British section to compete in the International Young Concierge of the Year Award. But he will not be alone; he will be going through the process with the spirit of Jack Kidd.”
London Concierge of the Year Award
Simone Caretti was presented with his award by Mikesh Palan, Managing Director of Golden Tours.
Simone, Head Concierge at The BoTree, which opened just over a year ago, said: "There are no words to describe the joy, nor to describe the feelings. Thank you all for the support, thank you all for the love. Concierge of the year 2024. I am still shaking."
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner Madeleine Calon has more than 35 years' experience in the hotel industry.
Head Concierge at The Beaumont, Madeleine has played an active role in the Society's Committee, holding various roles including Secretary, Associate Liaison, Vice President and eventually becoming President in 2018.
Madeleine was presented with her award by ABBA Voyage Guest Experience Manager, Lara Olender.
From left to right: Alan McDougall & Nick Dowrick (Director, UK Centurion Servicing); Sherralyn Holmes (Senior Sales Executive, Big Bus Tours) & Karim Bernichi; Arthur Smith (Assistant Manager at Novikov Restaurant & Bar) & Rob Way (CEO of The Tourism Media Group).
Mark Hands (Group Director, Metropolitan Casinos) & George Murray; Ardian Zabergja (Director, Eagles Chauffeurs) & Binoy Nair (Society Vice President); Toru Machida.
Mr Machida said: “I would like to thank each of the General Managers who nominated Concierge for the awards. It was a joy to read the nomination letters, and it is fantastic to know that so many members are representing their hotels and the Society passionately and proudly.
He added: “I would like to thank every sponsor for each award and Anne Golden and her team at Pan Pacific London for hosting this annual event tonight.”
Guests enjoyed a champagne reception and canapés before the awards ceremony, followed by a selection of dishes after the ceremony.
Upon leaving, they were presented with Fortnum & Mason goody bags before heading to a glittering After Party hosted by Metropolitan Casinos at Metropolitan Mayfair.
Some of those who gathered at this year's Concierge Awards at Pan Pacific London.
During the evening, guests enjoyed getting together in a photo booth provided by Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus.
