Top industry accolade for Hydro’s Stephen
Crieff’s Stephen Leckie was recently named the winner of a prestigious industry award.
The chair and CEO of the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels has been named the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland Industry Award winner for 2021.
The local businessman received the accolade in recognition of the work he has done to look after the interests of the hospitality industry over the past 19 months.
Based in Kinross and more commonly known as HIT Scotland, the charity focused on “empowering inspirational development within Scottish hospitality” recently held one of the biggest industry dinners seen in Scotland for almost two years.
More than 495 industr y professionals enjoyed an event at the Glasgow Hilton and raised over £ 42,000 for the HIT scholarship programme.
The Industry Award is the only one HIT Scotland gives out and it is in celebration of an individual within the industry who is recognised as head and shoulders above his or her peer group for championing the interests of the industry in Scotland, going above and beyond their day job.
Mr Leckie’s nomination was universally agreed by the judging panel.
A HIT Scotland spokesperson said: “Stephen actually started off life in the supply chain of sorts – this involved picking tatties and berries in his local area.
“He has always worked in the family business and this carries on today with his wife and children all contributing to the life of the resort. He has many strings to his bow and his sphere of influence runs deep.
“Stephen has spent the last 19 months looking after the interests of the industry and, in addition to managing his own portfolio of hotels, he has spent countless hours informing the politicians and industry groups of the strategy and route towards recovery.
“He is the epitome of someone who cares passionately about the industry and all the people who work within it.”
“There are many people in our industry who have looked for guidance from our winner during the pandemic and have benefitted from his wise counsel.”