Bath hotelier is named Institute of Hospitality Mentor of the Year

Raj Chakraborty, regional managing director at Macdonald Hotels and former general manager of the five-star Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, has been named the Institute of Hospitality’s Mentor of the Year.

Raj Chakraborty | Photo © Macdonald Hotels

It is awarded in recognition of his outstanding commitment to developing the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Mr Chakraborty, who lives in Winsley, oversees operations at the Bath Spa Hotel, as well the Macdonald Windsor Hotel and The Compleat Angler Hotel in Marlow.

He said: “Watching people grow in confidence, develop their careers and achieve things they didn’t think were possible is one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

“I firmly believe that behaviour affects behaviour, and as a mentor you need to give people the space to try things on their own.

“You expose them to new experiences and new challenges, and if they fall, you pick them back up. Then you try again together.”

The Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel | Photo © Macdonald Hotels

Mr Chakraborty has worked in hospitality for more than 28 years, building his career at several luxury establishments.

After studying Hospitality Management at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, his first placement was in the kitchen at the Park Lane Hotel in London – an experience he credits with sparking his passion for cheffing.

He joined Macdonald Hotels in 2016 as regional executive chef and has since progressed through the business, graduating from the company’s general managers programme before becoming general manager of Bath Spa Hotel and, more recently, regional managing director for the group’s southern division.

He said: “Hospitality has given me so much throughout my career, and I’ve been fortunate to learn from inspiring leaders who believed in me.

“Mentoring is my way of giving something back. This recognition is really for all the talented people I’ve had the privilege of working alongside.”