Sir Terence Conran wins Hotelympia’s Lifetime Achievement Award

09-Apr-2014 - Last updated on 20-May-2024 at 13:14 GMT

Restaurateur and designer Sir Terence Conran has been making an impact on the hospitality industry for more than 50 years.

Esteemed restaurateur and designer Sir Terence Conran is to receive Hotelympia’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises his 50 years’ worth of involvement in London’s hospitality sector and the great impression he has made on the industry.

The award will be presented at Hotelympia 2014on the first day of the event (28 April), on the main stage at 15:30. The award itself was designed by experienced glassblower Peter Layton.

Sir Terence’s name will be included in Hotelympia’s Hall of Fame, which also features past winner Raymond Blancand the Roux brothers, as well as a few others who have made an important impact on the hospitality scene.

On the second day of the event a discussion on Sir Terence’s legacy will take place on the Hotelympia design stage at 13:00. Director of Designers at Conran & Partners Tina Norden and Sir Terrence’s former business partner and fellow restaurateur Joel Kissin will lead the exploration of his life in the restaurant and hotel business.

Sir Terence’s achievements

Sir Terence opened his first restaurant, the Soup Kitchen, in 1953 and has since opened, owned and operated many more in a number of different countries. He currently presides over numerous ventures including Bibendum restaurant in Michelin House, the Boundary Hotel, restaurant and rooftop bar in Shoreditch, and Lutyens restaurant on Fleet Street. His most recent undertaking, The Albion Cafe, opened in 2013 on the Southbank.

An accomplished designer as well, Sir Terence founded the furnishings retailer Habitat in 1964. He is also the founder of the Storehouse Group and set up Conran Holdings, a group of designers, retailers and architects from across the world.

More recently, BigHospitality reported that Sir Terence helped to design his restaurateur son Tom Conran’s latest venture, New Tom's in Notting Hill.

“An innovator, a pioneer and a true giant of the hospitality world – the contribution Sir Terence has made to the industry throughout his career is truly remarkable,” said Toby Wand, managing director at Fresh Montgomery, the exhibition organisers which arranged the show.

He added: “There are few more deserving candidates to recieve our highest honour and be inducted into the Hotelympia Hall of Fame. Once there, he will be amongst auspicious company. I urge show visitors to come to the stage to help toast the man who is often credited with turning Britain onto good design.”

Hotelympia takes place at ExCeL London from 28 April to 1 May.