HOTELIER OF THE WORLD
Hutson is an innovative and passionate hotelier with 45 years ’ experience in some of the world ’ s most famous hotels . Today , he is chairman and CEO of the Lime Wood Group and founder of another groundbreaking collection of country hotels , The Pig .
Hutson , together with his wife Judy , still to this day project manage , design , commission and source every last piece of furniture and fitting for their hotels . In fact , The Pig has become a true family affair as Ollie , the Hutson ’ s eldest son , masterminds the Kitchen Gardens , and Will , their youngest , has created some of the artwork for the hotels .
Trained with The Savoy Group , London , Hutson started as an 18-year-old commis waiter at Claridge ’ s in 1975 , then Stones Chop House , The Berkeley and Hotel de Crillon , Paris . Ultimately , he became front office manager at The Berkeley , London . Next came two years as operations manager at Elbow Beach Hotel in Bermuda . Hutson returned to the U . K . at age 29 , lured by the offer of his first general manager role at Chewton Glen Hotel where he served for eight years , eventually becoming managing director .
In 1994 , Hutson co-founded the unique U . K . boutique brand , Hotel du Vin , with the late Gerard Basset . During this period , he received numerous industry awards and accolades . Eventually , he built Hotel du Vin to a group of seven hotels , which he sold in 2004 .
Between 1995 and 2008 , Hutson was additionally a director and eventually chairman of Soho House Group , assisting Nick Jones shape the ambitious expansion into Europe and the U . S . During this period , he was also a non-executive director of Hotel Crillon le Brave in Provence , France .
In 2020 , Hutson earned the Catey for Lifetime Achievement with acknowledgement for his support and governmental
ROBIN
HUTSON
CHAIRMAN , CEO , LIME WOOD GROUP AND HOME GROWN HOTELS , CLAYHILL , LYNDHURST , HAMPSHIRE , UK
lobbying for the sector during the pandemic . Hutson says he is most proud of helping develop the next generation of passionate hotel professionals .
He is on the Board of Governors for the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and is
INDEPENDENT an active founder committee member for Action Against Hunger .
Outside of hospitality , Hutson ’ s interests include food , wine , travel , fly fishing , adventure motorbiking and being grandpa to Stephanie and Dougie .
24 hotelsmag . com March / April 2021