Paul Milsom named life president of Pride of Britain Hotels

Paul Milsom, owner of the Maison Talbooth hotel in Essex, has been made life president of the Pride of Britain Hotels consortium.

It sees the hotelier follow in the footsteps of his late father Gerald Milsom, who founded the organisation in 1982 when he saw the need for a UK-specific hotel marketing collection.

Maison Talbooth is the longest-standing member property of the group, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Gerald remained life president until his death in 2005, when the title passed to George Goring, from London's Goring hotel. Paul takes over the role after Goring sadly passed away last year.

Kalindi Juneja, chief executive of Pride of Britain, said: "Paul is a hotelier I deeply admire; his business acumen and industry knowledge have been invaluable to me as I stepped into the role of chief executive last year. He is always available to help the team or any member hotelier; we are very lucky to have him."

Paul served as chairman of Pride of Britain Hotels from 2003-06 and has acted as a mentor for member hoteliers over the years. He said it was an "honour" to follow in his father's footsteps.

"I have always believed in the power of Pride of Britain Hotels consortium and the support it provides to UK hotels," he added. "Under Kalindi's leadership, we are embarking on a new chapter for our brand and I look forward to my many more years of service."

Pride of Britain Hotels has continued to accept new members during the pandemic, with five properties joining during the last 18 months. It removed its limit of 50 members and welcomed its newest addition, Palé Hall Hotel in Bala, Gwynedd, earlier this month.