Spotlight Interview | Catherine Chetwynd FIH

As we bid a fond farewell to Catherine Chetwynd FIH after six years as editor of IoH Magazine, this month’s Spotlight Interview looks back at her time in the role, the magazine’s evolution and what the future holds.

You’re about to embark on an exciting new adventure, travelling the world and pursuing your passion for photography. What are you most looking forward to about this next chapter?

It’s all very exciting! I’ve already signed up for a street photography course, one session per month for six months, and am looking forward to exploring new areas – in London and outside – for interesting images of people. I am also doing a photography and book-making course in St. Ives in December.

As for destinations, Romania and Uzbekistan are on my radar.

And I hope to have more time to read – about photography, certainly, but other books too. Generally, I only read on holiday and often can’t remember half the characters by the time I get back to a book! I’ve started The Nord Stream Conspiracy by Wall Street Journal correspondent Bojan Pancevski. It’s about the covert operation behind the blowing up of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, and it reads like a thriller; brilliantly compelling – and I look forward to finishing it. I suspect it will make an excellent film, too.

You’ve spent the last six years as Editor of the Institute of Hospitality Magazine. What have you enjoyed most about being part of the IoH? 

I have loved working with the IoH team; they are such an interesting variety of people in age, background, attitude and, most importantly, humour; they’ve been great to work with.

I’ve particularly enjoyed the Above & Beyond networking events. Apart from seeing team IoH doing what they are so good at – organisation, creativity, people skills – I’ve also met a lot of interesting people, including some of those I had interviewed on screen virtually but only recently met live and in colour!

During your time as Editor, the magazine has evolved considerably, including its rebrand and the introduction of more digital content. What changes have you been particularly proud of, and how have you seen the magazine develop over the years? 

The magazine is more modern, lively, relevant and readable, and working with Robert to progress it has been great fun. He’s a powerhouse of energy and ideas. He’s also very supportive; I’ve never doubted he’s on my side.

The video content is a particularly good idea because it makes the magazine interactive and brings it alive.

The Editorial Forum was Robert’s idea, and our meetings with the protagonists – Jill Whittaker OBE FIH, Brenda Collin FIH, Kathy Dyball MIH, Eloise Hanson AIH and Martin Traynor OBE FIH – were a perfect combination of constructive, lively and fun, resulting in some excellent feature ideas.

You’ve interviewed and written about so many fascinating people across hospitality. Is there a particular interview, story or moment from your time with the magazine that has stayed with you? 

Robin Sheppard FIH and my interview with him in advance of his alleged retirement as president of Bespoke Hotels was unforgettable. He is hugely talented, warm, funny and immeasurably resilient; his recovery from Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which rendered him paralysed from the neck down, is aspirational. He has written an excellent and astonishingly entertaining book about it: A Solitary Confinement.

I also loved doing the Fellows pages because people are so proud and excited to have achieved the accolade.

Looking back on your time as editor of the Institute’s member magazine, what are you most proud to have achieved, and do you have any advice for the new Editor, Katherine Price MIH?

Hmmm, difficult question! Our covers are much more dynamic, which is gratifying, and putting more international content into the magazine to reflect the variety of our membership has proved a success and made it more interesting.

Katherine has already commissioned features for the next issue, so her feet are well under the desk! My advice for Katherine would be: you will see the magazine, IoH and its members through a different, personal lens, which will give the magazine renewed energy. And because the magazine is tertiary, you don’t have to do everything on a handbrake turn, which allows for a more thoughtful pace. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

We are delighted to share that Catherine has been awarded Fellowship on the Institute of Hospitality.