Stephen Leckie honoured with HIT Scotland Industry Award 2021

Stephen Leckie, chairman and chief executive of Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, has been awarded the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland (HIT Scotland) Industry Award 2021.

Leckie a well-recognised and long-serving member of Scottish hospitality started his career in the supply chain, "picking tatties and berries" followed by an eight-year stint with Moat House hotels in his late teens before returning to his beloved Scotland.

He is the fifth generation to work in his family business, which continues to this day with his wife and children all contributing to the life of the resort.

Leckie has spent the last 19 months looking after the interests of the industry and in addition to managing his own portfolio of hotels, and has spent countless hours informing the politicians and industry groups on the strategy and route for Scottish recovery.

He is described as "the epitome of someone who cares passionately about the industry and all the people who work within it," and has recently been made Lord Lieutenant for Perth and Kinross, acting on behalf of Her Majesty on local matters.

The announcement was made at one of the biggest hospitality industry dinners seen in Scotland for almost two years, hosted by HIT Scotland at the Glasgow Hilton on 20 October. Nearly 500 industry professionals attended and raised over £42,000 for the inspirational HIT scholarship programme.

HIT Scotland CEO, David Cochrane, said: "Stephen Leckie is a well-recognised and very worthy winner. The nomination was universally agreed without question by the judging panel.

"The theme of our dinner was "this is who we are" and was all about having pride in our industry and being proud of the people who work within it. It was a pleasure to invite him to take his place amongst all the hospitality heroes who have been previous winners of the Industry Award."

Leckie, added: "It was a huge surprise and real honour to be recognised with this award – especially as it is decided by my peers in this superb industry that means so much to me.

"Our hospitality sector is so vibrant and absolutely vital to the economy, culture and indeed the very fabric of Scotland. In the last year and a half, more than ever, it has needed voices to stand up for its interests and I am proud of the way the industry has come together to do just that. To be recognised as having played a part is humbling and I'm very grateful to HIT."

HIT Scotland awards only one Industry Award each year which is awarded in association with Brakes Scotland and The Caterer.

Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels includes Crieff Hydro, Peebles Hydro, Murraypark Hotel in Crieff, The Park Hotel in Peebles, Taypark House in Dundee, The Isles of Glencoe, Ballachulish Hotel and Kingshouse Hotel also in Glencoe.

pictured: Jackie Brambles (presenter) Lisa Jenkins, The Caterer, Stephen Leckie and Adam Spiers, Brakes Scotland