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About the award 

The AA Lifetime Achievement Award, introduced in 2006, recognises professionals within the hospitality industry who have committed their lives to the pursuit of perfection within their discipline. Winners of this award are to be congratulated for making significant fundamental contributions to the industry which have had a notable impact, and must have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to progress in their field.

Adrian Ellis MI FIH

Adrian has spent his life in hospitality with a career spanning over 40 years and many countries.

His contribution has been not only to the hotel community but also to wider initiatives, including the improvement of links between schools and industry through the Hotelier’s Charter.

After starting his career in Norwich and Manchester, he moved to Le Meridien Singapore then on to various roles across the globe including Corinthia Budapest, Fairmont Azerbaijan and Bali.

In 2015, he returned to Manchester to lead the Lowry, ensuring it remains the best in the city. Along with a number of charity roles he is Chair of the Manchester Hoteliers Association. The schools programme he pioneered links hotels with schools to promote hospitality as a career of choice. Its success has led to the creation of Hospitality Connect, which will form a big part of Adrian’s new chapter following his retirement from the iconic Lowry in June 2024..