Remembering Rosemary Morrison FIH

We are saddened to share the passing of Rosemary Morrison FIH, one of the HCIMA’s most respected former head office staff members. She died on 10 October, aged 81.

Rosemary joined the HCIMA, as the Institute of Hospitality was formerly known, in 1988 as Library and Information Officer, going on to become HCIMA Director of Special Projects – Hospitable Climates while briefly, in 2002, taking on the additional role of HCIMA Joint Acting Director with Ann Corrigan FIH.

Former Institute Chief Executive, Philippe Rossiter FIH remembers Rosemary:

“Rosemary was an experienced hospitality practitioner who brought a wealth of experience to the HCIMA, where for a number of years she was Head of Library and Information Services. In April 2002 she became joint Chief Executive with Ann Corrigan prior to the appointment of a new incumbent in that role.

“Perhaps one of her greatest contributions to the HCIMA, and to the wider industry, was her management of the Hospitable Climates programme. This free-of-charge energy efficiency advisory programme was managed by the HCIMA on behalf of the Carbon Trust. The programme was particularly successful, with a total of 53,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide being saved annually by participating hospitality businesses who, in turn, were reducing their energy consumption by as much as 40%. Beyond these key contributions, Rosemary was a mentor to many of our colleagues and a great communicator to HCIMA members. News of her death will be a source of sadness for many.”

Ann Share FIH, long-time Deputy Director of the HCIMA and Rosemary’s manager, has many fond memories of her. “Rosemary came to us from running her own private dining business,” she said. “Under Rosemary’s guidance, the HCIMA’s Library and Information Department developed significantly into one of our most important membership services.

“The information office widened its scope further when Rosemary worked with the HCIMA’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG), under the Chairmanship of Professor John Forte OBE FIH, renowned expert on technical and environmental issues in the hospitality industry.

“TAG produced our extremely popular, free-of-charge Technical Advisory Sheets on key issues of the day. Ranging from food safety to the environment, the TAG sheets helped keep HCIMA members up-to-date on the latest technical developments and legislation, enabling members to fulfil their commitment to CPD (Continuing Professional Development). Indeed, the demand for TAG’s advisory services grew to the point that successful TAG roadshows were organised around the UK

“Rosemary’s quiet calm professionalism was the lynchpin that kept the Association on course during a period of considerable change in leadership. She was a very dear and supportive colleague. My condolences go out to her sons Paul and Chris,  and their respective families.”

In 2000, Rosemary played a huge part in HCIMA’s then ground-breaking Hospitable Climates energy efficiency advisory programme, managed by the Association on behalf of the Carbon Trust for the UK hospitality industry. An initiative well ahead of its time. A measure of the programme’s and Rosemary’s success was that in April 2005, five years on from its launch, Hospitable Climates was delivering major cumulative cost savings of more than £13million per year to the 4,000-plus hospitality businesses then signed-up to Hospitable Climates. It was saving an annual total of 53,000 tonnes of CO2.

The success of Hospitable Climates owed much to Rosemary’s superb leadership. A quality that in 2002 led her to being appointed Joint Acting Director of the HCIMA, while the Association’s Supervisory Board recruited a new Director.

Rosemary was someone who cared deeply about people, and it was no surprise that in retirement she continued to use her immense talents – namely helping a local charity, the Canterbury and District Early Years Project, offering parenting support programmes, play sessions, short courses, family events, and much more. It was no surprise that Rosemary ultimately became a Trustee of the charity, and Chair of its Board.