John was the owner of the Livermead Cliff and Livermead House hotels in Torquay. For most of his working life he was actively involved in the Institute of Hospitality, British Hospitality Association, West Country Tourist Board, Interchange Hotels and Best Western, where he was chairman at one time.
He had strong connections with South Devon Technical College and often hosted student events at his hotel. As a student there Mike Bevans FIH MI, now owner of Linthwaite House Hotel in the Lake District, claims to have been terrified by him: “He didn’t mince words but had high standards. He was always outspoken, had strong opinions on important industry issues and was never averse to expressing his views and standing out from the crowd.”
Peter Lederer FIH MI described John as a “true gentleman.” Sue Williams FIH MI, now general manager of The Bath Priory, was one of his Concord hotel trainees and Arthur Neil FIH MI knew him well.
After leaving Charterhouse School, John trained at Lausanne’s Ecole Hoteliere, after which he joined the Imperial Hotel, Torquay, as Michael Chapman’s PA. His family owned the Raven in Shrewsbury, which he ran prior to returning to Torquay.
John was a director of Torquay United Football Club. He was also a member of the MCC, and Peter May, England cricketer and one of the great batsmen of his time, was best man at John’s wedding.
John leaves his wife, Pat, his sons James and Andrew and four grandchildren.
