Douglas Oram, now retired, spent his entire working life in the Hospitality Industry.

He began as a management trainee at Grand Metropolitan Hotels, after which he moved to the Dorchester as assistant banqueting manager. Subsequently he became assistant to the General Manager and then purchasing manager of Centre Hotels, which was acquired by Crest Hotels.

After three years he returned to the Dorchester as purchasing manager.

He then became purchasing director of Comfort Hotels International, where he remained for ten years. When they were acquired by Ladbroke, he joined Metropole Hotels as group purchasing manager, until they were taken over by Stakis in November 1996.

He retired in 2002.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality.

He was chairman of the academy in 1987 and particularly remembers a meeting with Claude DeVos, from the Presidential House, Pommery, whose opening words were “Well, now we are sixteen”. After many years, the number of Houses in the Academy had been increased from the original twelve.

He was fortunate enough to enjoy several meals at Les Crayeres in Reims in its heyday and has fond memories of sitting on the terrace enjoying his favourite tipple, a glass of brut.