Simon Berry 

Simon Berry is Chairman and Managing Director of English Lakes Hotels. He is independent member of the Cumbria Vision Board for the "Destination Cumbria" theme.

English Lakes Hotels is a fourth generation family owned business operating a total of five hotels – Low Wood, The Waterhead and Storrs Hall, all situated on Lake Winderemere, The Famous Wild Boar at Crook and Lancaster House Hotel, Lancaster.

Simon was educated at Mill Hill School, in London, before securing a chef at The Savoy Hotel in 1977. He spent five years working in the kitchen and in management positions, including a stint at Claridges before he married and decided to take time out to travel the world. Simon used his skills as a chef to work in some great restaurants in Australia and New Zealand along the way.

He returned in 1985 and moved to The Lake District to join his younger brother in the family business. The company that was set up by his great uncle, Norman Buckley – the official timekeeper to Donald Campbell during the land speed attempts with Bluebird on Lake Windermere. It then passed into the hands of his father the late Michael Berry OBE. Both have proved pivotal inspirations in the core company values of community and environmental responsibility.

Since becoming Chairman and Managing director of English Lakes Hotels the company has scooped a number of prestigious awards including the national Business Excellence Awards for its innovation in customer care and the Coutts Bank, Family Business of the year.

www.elh.co.uk