CORPORATE NOMINEES
BEATRICE TOLLMAN
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT , RED CARNATION HOTEL COLLECTION , LONDON
ALFRED PISANI
FOUNDER , CHAIRMAN , CORINTHIA HOTELS , MALTA
Born in Malta , Alfred Pisani founded the Corinthia brand in 1962 with the help of his family , transforming his family home in Attard , Malta , into the Corinthia Restaurant . As chairman , he has directed the group ’ s growth with ownership and management interests in luxury city and resort hotels in 12 countries in Europe and Africa .
With an operating philosophy surrounding authentic , intuitive service delivered at the highest and most precise standards , Corinthia Hotels is working on new developments in Dubai , Bucharest , Brussels , Moscow and Rome . Pisani leads with a “ Spirit of Corinthia ” philosophy , an amalgam of behaviors that focuses on a sense of family and a culture of care .
Since 2012 , Corinthia Hotels has sponsored seven Just a Drop water projects that have benefited over 40,000 people and provided access to safe , clean water and improved hygiene in Tanzania , Uganda and Zambia .
In 2014 , Pisani was bestowed Malta ’ s highest order of the land , Officer , The National Order of Merit .
Since its inception in 1984 , Beatrice Tollman has been instrumental in building a 20-hotel collection in the U . K ., Ireland , South Africa , Switzerland , Botswana and United States known for its distinct character , inventive cuisine , private art collections and exceptional service .
Tollman was studying to become a nursery school teacher when she fell in love with Stanley Tollman , a second-generation hotelier known for sporting a red carnation on his suit jacket . As newlyweds of modest means , the couple leased a small Johannesburg property in 1954 , where Beatrice Tollman took charge of executing starters and desserts .
Her passion for food and her hands-on approach to service and hospitality has been the secret to her success and , 66 years later , she remains intrinsically involved in every aspect of the collection of luxury boutique hotels . She reads a detailed report from every hotel each morning , as well as every single guest comment .
She individually teaches her chefs to create signature dishes and holds regular kitchen taste-tests to brainstorm and perfect menus . Design is also central to her passions , and as she travels , Tollman seeks out the finest fabrics , antiques , furniture and artworks .
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April 2020 hotelsmag . com 15