Major hospitality award for Motherwell college

May 15 2008

ONE of the Scottish hospitality industry’s most popular educationists has been recognised with the Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland’s coveted lifetime achievement award – The Industry Award.

Motherwell College’s Commercial Development Manager Neil Thomson, pictured right, was presented the award at the Glasgow Hilton.

Neil only learned he’d won after realising the host was talking about him during the introduction.

The nomination is made by industry members without the knowledge of the recipient.

Neil, (59), has worked for Motherwell College for 22 years, starting as Head of Hospitality and working up to his present management position.

He has been Chief Executive of the Federation of Chefs Scotland since 1994 – a voluntary position - and is passionate about his work.

He will shortly head for Dubai for the World Association of Chefs Society Congress.

Neil said: “I’d love to see more young people leaving school and considering a career in hospitality. TV has raised the profile of chefs more recently but perhaps not enough for it to be a main career focus. I’ll keep encouraging though as it we’ve a lot of hard work still to be done for that to change.

“I am very proud to have received this award however, you don’t get this without others helping – my family, friends and my colleagues at the College. I’m very grateful for all that support.”