Mr Shiraz Boghani, Chairman of Splendid Hospitality Group, was recently honoured at the Asian Business Awards 2016, when he received the ‘Hotelier of the Year’ award.
Mr Boghani has been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years and currently owns and manages 19 trading hotels in the UK. A dynamic entrepreneur and a qualified Chartered Accountant with a passion for the hotel sector, Mr Boghani was one of the first hoteliers to introduce limited service branded hotels to London in the 1990s.
His most recent and exciting project includes the development and launch of the stylish £121m Hilton London Bankside, located in London’s vibrant Bankside. Other flagship hotels include The Conrad London St James, The Grand Hotel & Spa, York and Holiday Inn London – Wembley with recent acquisitions including the New Ellington in Leeds and the Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel. Mr Boghani is also a major supporter of the Aga Khan Foundation, a UK registered charity as well as the Aga Khan Development Network globally.
Judging the awards was a prestigious line-up comprising renowned journalist, Amit Roy; group managing editor of AMG, Kalpesh R Solanki; executive editor for AMG, Shailesh R Solanki; MP for Richmond (Yorkshire), Rishi Sunak; and renowned investment banker, Jitesh Gadhia.
Mr Boghani said: “I am thrilled to have received this award. Hotels are a huge part of my business life and I am extremely proud of the group’s progress which would not be possible without the support of my Splendid Family and its highly experienced executive and management teams.”
“Splendid Hospitality Group is one of the UK's fastest growing privately-owned hotel groups and that is testament to the inspirational dedication and exceptional hard work of Shiraz Boghani,” said Stuart Bailey, CEO of Splendid Hospitality Group. “The group is going from strength to strength and nobody deserves this award more than Shiraz.”
Originally from Kenya, Shiraz Boghani arrived in the UK in 1969 where he started his initial training as an accountant in a small firm of Chartered Accountants before moving to Thomson McLintock & Co (now known as KPMG).
An innovative and forward-thinking businessman, Shiraz was quick to spot business development opportunities and is a founding joint partner of Sussex Health Care, which was founded in 1985 and today comprises 18 Care Homes with more than 500 beds. Shiraz Boghani also plays a vital role by giving his time and providing resources for the many charitable organisations and voluntary services he supports.
The Asian Business awards are run by the Asian Media and Marketing Group (AMG). The ceremony was attended by a star-studded guest list including Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith, Labour and Conservative candidates for Mayor of London respectively; Sky News Presenter, Jannat Jalil and Bend it Like Beckham star, Preeya Kalidas.
*Photo details – Left to Right: BBC Sport presenter Karthi Gnanasegaram, Sanjay Thakrar, Shiraz Boghani, chairman of the Splendid Hospitality Group, Ramniklal Solanki CBE and Kalpesh Solanki
