Meet De Vere’s very own Mr Hospitality! We are extremely proud that Stephen Carter, Chairman of De Vere Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond, was named the UK Hotelier of the Year in November, sponsored by the Casna Group.

Stephen was previously awarded the Manager of the Year Catey in 2005, an OBE in 2007 for services in the hospitality industry, and the Fellowship for Outstanding Industry Contribution at the 2011 Scottish Hotel Awards.

Of his win, Stephen says: “I was elated. It’s quite a coveted award in the industry, and it’s great recognition for what the team have done at Cameron House and for what De Vere want to achieve going forward.”

Originally from Halifax, Stephen studied Hotel Administration at the University of Surrey before starting in the industry as a Trainee Manager with Thistle at the Golden Lion hotel in Stirling.

His 40-year career has included time at the Holiday Inn, Stakis Hotels, Glasgow’s Moat House International and Edinburgh’s Caledonian Hotel, as well as the Cliveden in Bucks and the development and opening of the five star St Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa.

He arrived at Cameron House in 2008, when the hotel was in the midst of a £50m refurbishment.

Stephen is renowned for team building and the empowerment and development of his people.

He has mentored several industry leaders including our very own new VILLAGE CEO Robert Cook, formerly of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin.

He is also currently Chairman of the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland, a Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and Director of VisitScotland.

So, what’s next for the Hotelier of the Year? “I enjoy the job I do very much, and I hope to continue doing it. As they say, if you enjoy your job you never have to do a day’s work in your life,” he says.

“One of the most important elements of the job is making people feel relaxed and secure.”

Stephen says Hebrews chapter 13, verse two sums up his philosophy on offering great British hospitality perfectly: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”