The Savoy Educational Trust was delighted to support this year’s Institute of Hospitality P4H conference, which brought students, employers and industry leaders together to explore careers in hospitality. Across talks, panels and employer interactions, students gained a better understanding of the breadth of roles in the sector, pathways such as apprenticeships and degrees, and the importance of transferable skills and mentoring.

A highlight of the day was the Savoy Educational Trust Best Student Paper Award, presented on the day and judged by our Chairman, Howard Field, Trustee Stephen Lowy and Xuan Lorna Wang. We were thrilled to recognise the thoughtful reflections and insight shown by this year’s winner, Caisey Hill-Shaw, and runner-up, Mohammed Ali Lone.

Thank you to the Institute of Hospitality, speakers and employers for creating such a purposeful day for the next generation. Together, we are helping to open doors into meaningful careers in hospitality. Our LinkedIn post.

We are pleased to continue supporting the Innholder Scholarships, which give talented hoteliers the chance to undertake world-class management development at Cranfield University or Cornell University. This year, twelve outstanding professionals have been selected for the programme, each receiving an opportunity worth over £11,000 to strengthen their leadership capability, strategic thinking and global business insight.

Since 1997, the Savoy Educational Trust has proudly co-funded these scholarships alongside the Worshipful Company of Innholders, the Master Innholders Charitable Trust and the Lord Forte Foundation, helping ambitious hospitality leaders progress in their careers and contribute to the future of the sector.

Read the full announcement here

The Craft Guild of Chefs has revealed the names of 10 young chefs who have achieved the prestigious Graduate Awards following an intense final exam at the University of West London.

Finalists were tested through written exams and a series of technical challenges, from filleting sea bass to creating dishes from a mystery basket, while pastry applicants produced hand-dipped gianduja chocolates, focaccia, and a celebratory croquembouche.

We were thrilled to celebrate the achievements of this year’s Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Award winners. Supporting the next generation of hospitality professionals sits at the heart of our mission, and it’s inspiring to see such commitment, skill and determination from young chefs at this stage in their careers. See the winners here

We are pleased to be partnering with the Craft Guild of Chefs to support the Education and Training Summit, taking place on 8–9 January 2026 at Loughborough College. The two-day event will bring together educators, industry professionals, and training providers to share best practice and explore fresh approaches to culinary education. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, the summit is set to play a key role in shaping the future of training and career pathways in the hospitality industry.

Read more about the summit here.

We are proud to support Hospitality Connect with a £200,000 grant to help expand its reach across the UK. Founded by 2022 Hotelier of the Year Adrian Ellis, the initiative connects secondary schools with local hotels to open doors into the hospitality sector. To date, it has supported over 4,000 students and grown from 30 partnerships in Manchester to more than 150 across 16 cities and regions. With our support, Hospitality Connect aims to engage 10,000 students annually by 2028, helping even more young people discover rewarding careers in one of the UK’s most dynamic industries. Read more here.

Angela Maher, Chief Executive of the Savoy Educational Trust, who judged alongside an esteemed panel, said : “Alexandra was amazing on the day of judging, and it was an absolute pleasure to hear about her journey so far, as well as learning about her future aspirations. It is wonderful to witness such passion for the industry, and this really shone through. Alexandra is a deserving beneficiary of the Ramon Pajares Excellence Scholarship, and we very much look forward to having played some small part in her journey going forward.”

For more details about the scholarship, launched in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, click here

The Savoy Educational Trust are proud to support this inspiring competition, which gives students from FE colleges across the UK the chance to build confidence, push their boundaries, and showcase industry-ready talent, both front and back of house.

Huge congratulations to all twelve finalists of this year’s competition. To find out who the winners were and for more information, please click here.

The Savoy Educational Trust supports young people in Buckinghamshire through Heart of Bucks Young Futures Fund. This fund has been created to support young people (aged 18-30) in the hospitality sector. The grants of £250 -£1000 are aimed at individuals who are committed to a long-term career in the UK hospitality industry to enable them to develop appropriate skills to thrive in this exciting sector. More details on eligibility and how to apply can be found here.

Following an impressive cook-off hosted at the University of West London on Friday 4th April, Loughborough College was named the winner of Zest Quest Asia 2025.

Judging was described as incredibly close, with all panel members noting the consistently high standard across the board and the continued progression of skills year on year. After careful deliberation, Loughborough College was awarded the title for their exceptional four-course menu. As part of their prize, the winning team will enjoy a culinary-themed trip to Hong Kong, generously supported by headline sponsors Lee Kum Kee.

Congratulations to all the finalists on an outstanding achievement. Visit here for more information on the awards.

Chief Executive Angela Maher was honoured to present the Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year award to the very deserving Kyle Steward at the Springboard Awards for Excellence dinner.

This award is dedicated to Fiona Colley, a valued Springboard colleague for eight years who supported people to navigate their challenges, helping them into employment and towards brighter futures. It recognises individuals who have completed a Springboard Employability Programme and triumphed over obstacles to secure employment.

Huge congratulations to all the finalists and winners, it was a fantastic recognition of talent from across the industry. To find out more please visit here.