Women in Business: Ladies-Only Industry Group to Shake Up London Hotel Scene
Leading Ladies of London - Anna-Marie Dowling, Debrah Dhugga and Theresa Maw.
A new women in business group for the hospitality industry has been launched by three prominent female hoteliers.
The new collaboration, Leading Ladies of London, aims to attract more women leaders into the hotel industry and to share experiences on how to make it to the top.
Leading Ladies of London was founded by three of the most successful
women in business on the London hotel scene. Debrah Dhugga, GM (General
Manager) of Dukes London, Anna-Marie Dowling, GM of Guoman’s The Royal
Horseguards Hotel and Theresa Maw, GM of Renaissance Chancery Court
Hotel decided to join forces and create an industry think-tank with a
difference – one that would acknowledge and bring together London’s most
influential female hoteliers.
Women in Business: A New Voice
Determined to create a voice for women hoteliers at the top, Leading
Ladies of London will advocate women making a difference within the
London hotel scene. There will be networking opportunities with other
like minded executive female groups and mentoring of future stars of the
industry. Members of the body will meet six times a year to discuss
industry demands and business issues, to exchange ideas and practice of
excellence, as well as to inspire members to fulfil their ambitions in
an industry which can be traditionally male-dominated.
“We’re not suggesting that it is any more difficult for women to
reach the top within London hospitality, as we’re living examples of
those that have been successful,” said Dhugga, “It’s just less common to
see a female general manager
than a male in that position. Leading Ladies of London aims to inspire
other women to have a share of voice in the industry and achieve their
maximum potential – as three successful leaders of prominent five-star
hotels in London, we know first-hand what an impact we can make!”
Founding member Anna-Marie Dowling – recently included in the People
1st Top 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality – continues, “The
reason for creating an official group for female hoteliers in London was
quite simple – the five-star market in the Capital can certainly prove
challenging and has traditionally attracted male senior leaders. By
having a panel that women leaders can relate to, get support and share
best thinking with, we hope we can guarantee talented, female hoteliers
will continue to make a difference to the future of the hotel industry.”
Leading Ladies of London has already had great interest from
prominent luxury retail stores and banks to discuss opportunities for
the group and to host meetings throughout 2011.
Leading Ladies of London are inviting fellow women to join, however,
to instill a level of exclusivity, membership into the group is only
available to women who head five-star hotels in the Capital or those who
are leading female thinkers and figures in the hospitality industry.
