LEGENDARY Scots hospitality entrepreneur, Maurice Taylor, has been recognised, together with other high-flying businessmen by the University of Strathclyde at an awards ceremony to inspire the business hopefuls of the future.
At the glittering ceremony, Taylor was inducted as an inaugural member into the ‘Strathclyde Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs’.
The creation of this ’Hall of Fame’ celebrates the type of students and alumni that Strathclyde has produced over the years.
Other inductees on the evening included Sir Tom Hunter, John Logie Baird, James ‘Paraffin’ Young, Ivor Tiefenbrun, Jim McColl, Sir Brian Souter and Ian Graham.
For over 45 years, Taylor has opened and owned hotels and restaurants across the country, including the iconic La Bonne Auberge brasserie and the newly opened, award-winning Indigo Hotel in Glasgow.
More importantly, he has continued to innovate throughout his career, and when he set up his own property investment company back in the 1990s, when global giant, Starwood, looked to invest over £100m in European hotels, it was Taylor’s door they knocked on.
Today, Chardon Management, of which Taylor is chair, manages over 30 branded and non-branded hotel properties across the UK, employing over 1,500 staff.
Taylor notes: “It is an absolute honour to be recognised in this way, especially in a group which includes the finest entrepreneurs this country has even produced.
“Personally, I owe much of my ongoing success to the talented team of professionals who work with me on a daily basis.”
Professor Jim McDonald, principal of the University, said: “Strathclyde has supported an ethos of entrepreneurship since it was founded in 1796 and the awards celebrate all aspects of that culture and environment.
“Our winners include both entrepreneurs at the outset of their careers and those who are already well-established. However, they all share an enthusiasm, ambition and drive to make a difference with innovative approaches to business.
“We are proud of our world-class research and high-quality graduates and it is inspiring to our current students to see the impact this has on both society and the wider economy.”
While many of his peers are contemplating retirement, Taylor has no such plans and is currently planning the opening of seven more hotels , including two in Scotland and two in London in the coming months, which will create in the region of 300 new full and part-time jobs.
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Website: http://www.chardonmanagement.com
