Iris Marhencke and Rosie Street scoop top accolades at Business Women in Hospitality and Tourism Awards

Iris Marhencke of Gleneagles Hotel and Rosie Street of Glasgow Science Centre won the highest accolades at this year’s Business Women Scotland’s Women in Hospitality and Tourism Awards.

At a glittering ceremony in Edinburgh’s Waldorf Astoria, Iris was presented with the Outstanding Achievement award, and Rosie won the Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland scholarship.

The scholarship provides opportunities for anyone in the industry, at any age or stage in their career. It includes an annual bursary trip to Lausanne Hotel School attended by hospitality students from all over Scotland.

““It’s really exciting to win not just an award but also the HIT scholarship. It has been wonderful to be in a room with so many women doing such amazing things in the tourism and hospitality industry,” said Rosie.

Added Iris: “It’s amazing to win the award. Just to be in the room with so many inspiring woman is incredible. I work in guest relations and that involves keeping up to 400 guests happy at a time. I’ve been there for more than 20 years and more than 50% of our guests have been before.” 

From hotels and visitor attractions to festivals and educators, the work done by leading women in the industry has been recognised at the third annual Business Women Scotland’s Women in Hospitality and Tourism Awards.

Giovanna Eusebi of Eusebi Deli in Glasgow, the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh, Susan Gillan of Dundee’s Caird Hall and Emma Clark of Glenegedale House in Islay were among the winners.

The annual awards celebrated the achievements of women working in the hospitality and tourism industry in Scotland. They helped recognise and increase the number of women working in senior leadership roles across the visitor economy. 

“The high standard of entries this year has been incredible. The judges were overwhelmed by the excellence of the work done by women every day in our tourism industry across Scotland,” said Lynne Kennedy, founding director of Business Women Scotland.

“Our aim is to put the spotlight on women who have made an impact in their industry through innovation, best practice and delivering outstanding results. We celebrate the entrepreneurial talents of women across Scotland – and help to create more business role models to inspire the next generation of leading women.”

Speakers at this year’s awards included Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne, founder of gluten-free company Genius Foods, and Julie Grieve, founder of digital concierge app Criton, sponsor of the night.

A full list of award winners can be found at www.bwsltd.co.uk.