The St Julian Scholars is the alumni association for graduates of the Master Innholders Scholarship Programme. Everyone who attends one of the courses which has been funded by the Programme is automatically invited to become a member. It was founded to provide a structure for Continuing Professional Development, building on the techniques and skills acquired on the courses members have attended.

The Scholars hold two regular meetings annually. The spring meeting is held away from London, in a hotel managed by a Master Innholder and/or St Julian Scholar. The most recent meetings have been hosted by The Chester Grosvenor and Chewton Glen. The current format includes several presentations on a theme, preceded by a short AGM. The autumn meeting takes place in a London hotel (most recently at the Hyatt Regency Churchill) and takes the form of a debate or Question Time, with a team of distinguished guest speakers. The meeting is followed by the annual black-tie dinner, held at the Innholders’ Hall in the City of London.

These events include plenty of time for all-important networking with colleagues in the industry – providing a unique chance to chat informally about issues of the day as well as unwind together. Many members also attend the General Managers’ conference, organised by the Master Innholders, held in London in January. Members are encouraged to keep in touch, assisted by a directory of contact details included in the password protected section of this website. Members receive a six-monthly INN-TOUCH newsletter (jointly with the Master Innholders) to help keep abreast of members’ job changes.

These events and communications give members an ideal opportunity to meet, network and provide mutual support for one another as they further their careers in the hospitality industry. It is only by active membership that the real benefits can be appreciated. The committee is young and vibrant. It decides what meetings to hold and attempts to keep fresh and ever mindful of members’ interests. Our Executive Secretary provides all our administration back-up. Members of the committee are involved in other ways to further the work of related organisations, such as the organising committee of the General Managers’ conference, Springboard initiatives and assisting the Master Innholders in the selection of Scholarship candidates.

A very special benefit for members is provided through our unique Mentoring programme. This provides the opportunity for a Scholar to be pared up with a senior Master Innholder of great experience, who can provide invaluable advice, often at critical stages of one’s career.

Scholars are now being offered the chance to participate in the new Springboard Ambassador programme which provides training and equips a Scholar with the skills and tools to participate fully in careers advice for schoolchildren and students, particularly those contemplating the new 14 – 19 Diplomas in Hospitality.

There is an annual membership fee, currently £120. There are no additional charges for attending the two meetings and annual dinner. In addition, members are offered £100 off the Hoteliers’ rate for attending the General Managers’ conference. There are no charges for participating in the Ambassador or the Mentoring programmes mentioned above. The fees for most members are paid by their employers who recognise the benefit to the company as well as the individual by their involvement in the Scholars.

Members who subsequently move to jobs overseas are not asked to pay a membership fee, as they are not generally in a position to attend events. However, they are kept in touch and members often find a real benefit in having such contacts in far reaching areas of the world.

The St Julian Scholars is generously supported by our sponsor, PORTFOLIO. Without their support, both financially and in active presence at events, our programme would not be a position to flourish. Finally, the Scholars recognise the invaluable support and encouragement we have received since inception by the two major sponsors of the scholarship programme, The Worshipful Company of Innholders and the Savoy Educational Trust.