The Society of the Golden Keys Concierge Awards 2025
- lisahylton2
- Sep 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 29
Congratulations to the winners of the 18th Annual Concierge Awards, held at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square.
Some 350 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 2025 ('The Society').
Organised by The Tourism Media Group (TMG) in partnership with The Society, proceedings were held in the ballroom of the luxury hotel. Headline sponsor was ABBA Voyage, with further support from main sponsors Big Bus Tours, Golden Tours, Tootbus, and American Express Travel. Also supporting the event were Air Courier International and Cubit House. Compere for the evening was former Concierge, George Murray.
THE 2025 AWARD WINNERS ARE:
YOUNG CONCIERGE OF THE YEAR AWARD, sponsored by Tootbus: Silvio Forino, Head Concierge, Park Hyatt London River Thames.
LONDON CONCIERGE OF THE YEAR AWARD, sponsored by Golden Tours: Burak Ipekci, Head Concierge, The Royal Horseguards Hotel.
REGIONAL CONCIERGE OF THE YEAR AWARD, sponsored by American Express Travel: Alan McDougall, Head Concierge, Mar Hall Hotel, Glasgow.
SERVICE THROUGH FRIENDSHIP AWARD, sponsored by Big Bus Tours: Petar Yordanov, Head Concierge InterContinental London Park Lane.
CONCIERGE CHOICE, RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR: Tattu London, presented by TMG.
BUSINESS AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR AWARD: London Serenity, presented by Society President, Binoy Nair.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, sponsored by ABBA Voyage: Paul Whittle, Head Concierge at The Dorchester and International Delegate of The Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Paul Whittle, Head Concierge at The Dorchester and International Delegate for The Society, has a lengthy history in the Concierge Industry, including 38 years at the same address!
Paul said: "Thank you very much indeed. This is a complete surprise to me. I was very lucky to join the committee as Social Chairman; I've been very lucky for the past 20-plus years to be on the committee.
"Thanks to everybody for this award; thank you to members of the keys and everyone who pushes themselves forward and really looks to the future of the keys and the future of international."
Read more about 'Lord' Paul Whittle's career here.
Young Concierge of the Year
This year’s Young Concierge of the Year is Silvio Forino, Head Concierge at Park Hyatt London. He was presented with the award by Gavin Brooking, MD of Tootbus.
As winner of the Young Concierge of the Year Award, Silvio will attend the 70th UICH International Congress in Sydney, Australia, 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.
London Concierge of the Year Award
Burak Ipekci, Head Concierge of The Royal Horseguards Hotel, was presented with his award by Umesh Majithia, Commercial Director of Golden Tours.
Burak, said: "I have been recognized before, for which I'm grateful, but this sort of recognition goes above and beyond as it comes from our peers.
"For those of you who have raised their hand and supported and for those of you who have never been shy about their friendship, I thank you. This is not for me, this is for us."
Read a full interview with Burak here.
Service Through Friendship Award
Petar Yordanov, Head Concierge of InterContinental London Park Lane, is the Service Through Friendship winner.
The award was presented by Rob Way, CEO of the Tourism Media Group, on behalf of sponsors, Big Bus Tours.
Petar said: "I am truly humbled and thankful to all my peers for awarding me the Service Through Friendship Award.
"This is a team effort and I would not have been able to achieve it without the support of InterContinental London Park Lane and my team."
Regional Concierge of the Year
For the second year running, Alan McDougall, Head Concierge of Mar Hall Hotel, Glasgow, won the Regional Concierge of the Year Award.
Unfortunately, he was unable to attend the ceremony, but afterwards said: "I'm gutted that I couldn't be in London with my Concierge colleagues from around the United Kingdom for the Annual Concierge Awards. I am happy to represent not only The Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain & the Commonwealth in Scotland but also Mar Hall and JA Resorts & Hotels. There is no better feeling than being recognised by your peers."
Society President Binoy Nair
Concluding the ceremony, Society President Binoy Nair, thanked the sponsors, co-hosts Tourism Media Group, Nobu London Portman Square and the interview panel and congratulated the winners.
He said: "The Society in partnership with TMG held another successful Concierge Awards at The Nobu Hotel London Portman Square. It was a fabulous evening with some great nominations and winners, as well as a large turnout of our members and affiliates, as well as sponsors. Special thanks to Nobu Hotel and all our sponsors and a huge congratulations to all the winners and nominees."
Left to right: London Serenity owner, Paolo Andrea Dalla Fina and Binoy Nair; Tattu Business Development Manager, Sales and Events Martyna Sargunaite and Tattu Senior General Manager, Pierre Meunier; George Murray and Nobu General Manager, Grant Campbell. Photo Credit: @CreweReadPhoto.
Check out the After Party pictures at The BoTree's new space 77.
