Chris Wayne-Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotels, which owns seven four- and five-star properties across Scotland, has been awarded the title of the UK’s ‘Most Influential Hotels Group CEO of the Year 2023’.
With more than 25 years of senior experience within the hospitality sector, Chris has worked with some of the UK’s leading hoteliers, including Marriott International, Macdonald Hotels and QHotels, beginning his career as a sales manager before progressing to general manager, regional managing director and then most recently taking on the senior position at Crerar.
Leading the company at a time of uncertainty during the height of the pandemic, Chris was described as ‘a beacon of inspiration’, successfully overseeing the group’s recovery and multi-million-pound transformation and repositioning of several Crerar Hotels properties, including the award-winning Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa, and the newly rebranded Balmoral Arms.
The Most Influential CEO Awards recognise the very best leadership figures, not only in hospitality, but across all business sectors throughout the UK.
Chris said: “I am thrilled to have been presented with this honour and to be recognised amongst the leadership figures that shape each industry.
“I joined Crerar Hotels at a very difficult and uncertain time for the hospitality sector and it is the strength and tenacity of the entire team and the strong belief in what we have to offer our guests that has driven us through, that I why I am dedicating this award to my team.
“We have made significant investments in our iconic hotels over the last few years and have driven forward when others held back investment plans. I have huge faith in our hotels, the guest experience we offer and in the locations in which we operate, but it is our wonderful people that make it all come to life. Being recognised with this award is testament to each and every one of them believing in the vision we have for Crerar Hotels.”
Chris’ win comes less than a year after he was appointed to the role of Chairman of UKHospitality Scotland, the country’s largest hospitality trade body. He is also a trustee of HIT Scotland, a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and sits on the Institute of Hospitality Scotland committee.