WSH, the parent company for leading catering and hospitality businesses BaxterStorey, Benugo, Searcys, Holroyd Howe, Caterlink and Portico, has today announced the appointment of Edward Griffiths, Deputy Master of the Royal Household, to its board.
After spending fourteen years in the Royal Household, Edward will now return to work in the commercial sector, alongside Alastair Storey, Chairman and CEO of WSH, and fellow board colleagues. He will take up his appointment in February 2015.
Commenting on his appointment, Edward Griffiths, said: “I have been privileged to work in the Royal Household for many wonderful years and I am very proud that it is now recognised as a beacon of high standards within the Hospitality Industry. It is with great enthusiasm that I am now making my return to the commercial sector, to share the knowledge and experience I have gained, and join a team which I believe shares those same fine values and aspirations of quality of service, amongst a creative and passionate workforce.”
Alastair Storey, Chairman and CEO of WSH, added: “I am delighted that Edward Griffiths has decided to join our board. His background and achievements in the hospitality industry are absolutely unique. We have collaborated closely with Edward throughout our work on The Gold Service Scholarship and his passion for excellence and for developing team members is in perfect harmony with our own beliefs.
“Edward will bring practical and strategic guidance to our business and the WSH team. I am very much looking forward to working with him in the years ahead.”
About Edward Griffiths CVO, FIH
Edward was educated at Repton School, is bilingual in English and French and graduated from Ealing Hotel School (now part of the University of West London), from which he has since been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science in 2011 for his ongoing work in the training and development of young people in the Industry, together with his work in developing the first nationally accredited Butler’s Diploma.
After completing his early Hotel School training at the Dorchester hotel in London and with Mövenpick in Switzerland, he spent eight years in South Africa in various management positions in Five Star establishments for Southern Sun Hotels, working on new hotel building design, operations and hotel openings in the latter part of that period. On his return to the UK, he joined the acclaimed Roux Brothers, initially to manage the set up of their Contract Catering Division, and then as Director of both the Restaurant and Contracting Companies. Following the acquisition of the Contracting Company by Compass Group Plc in 1994, he then became Managing Director of Roux Fine Dining Ltd., whilst continuing to remain on the Board of Roux Restaurants Ltd.
After a brief period developing and managing his own Hospitality and Design Consultancy, Integer Partnership Ltd., Edward joined the Royal Household in April 2001. As Deputy Master of the Royal Household, he has held overall responsibility for internal operations, including all hospitality and entertaining delivery at home and State Visits abroad, and the upkeep and refurbishment of the interiors of the occupied Royal Palaces.
He is a member of the Royal Household Wine Committee, which includes an external board of advisors made up of Royal Warrant Holders and Masters of Wine and in 2006 Edward was appointed to the Board of Royal Collection Enterprises Limited as a non Executive Director, advising on Public Opening operations and on commercial catering projects.
Edward was awarded a Lieutenant of the Victorian Order (LVO) by The Queen in 2008 and elevated to Commander of the Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2013 New Year Honours List.
Edward is a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality (FIH), a Board member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, and a Patron of the University of West London.