About Us

Welcome to AICR UK The Association of Front Office Management (UK), formed in 1986 and then joined the AICR in 1989, and has grown to become an exciting, active network for Front Office Management of all levels. In 2017 our Scottish sub section was re-formed. We are one of largest sections, we meet each month to network, hear about the latest industry trends and help emerging talent move forward in their career. The Amicale was founded as a professional organisation, but the name was chosen to reflect the friendship that is built between our members. The aims of the AICR are to facilitate and strengthen the professional relationships between members and to promote and publicise the importance of our profession, developing the profile of the industry through training and development. Our membership constitutes an extensive source of contacts, offering invaluable networking opportunities whilst providing each other with support, information and advice. Throughout the year events are organised for our members offering a wide range of opportunities to get together, to network, exchange our views and share our experiences. Every year we go to the International Congress where we meet our fellow associations around the world. Following this, we will host our own AGM, ROTY final and Christmas event. In addition to these events we also organise networking events, leadership development, mentorships and innovation presentations. We have worked closely with colleges, universities, and Government organisations with initiatives to attract more young people into the industry and to develop their careers within Front Office. A key event in our annual calendar is the AICR World's Best Receptionist. We offer memberships for managers working in Front of House in 4 & 5 start hotels across the UK, as well as Junior Memberships for our AICR World's Best Receptionist candidates and associate memberships for friends of the organisation. But it is not just about what we do within our own section, our organisation also gives members an opportunity to network Internationally, whether that is attending events such as our International Congress or connecting for help or even just for a catch up when we visit. Follow us on social media to find out about our next event. We look forward to welcome you to the Amicale!

Johanna Dlugosch

President AICR UK

I am originally from Munich and started my journey in hospitality nearly 10 years ago at the age of 16. After my 3 year apprenticeship I moved to the beautiful city of Kitzbuehl in the Austrian Tirol. I stayed in Austria for nearly 2 years and moved to Scotland to work at the renowned Gleneagles Hotel. During this time I was entered into the Receptionist of the Year competition. I won the competition to become the AICR UK Receptionist of the year in 2014. After this amazing achievement I represented the AICR UK section in Hamburg and was named First Runner up in the International David Campbell Trophy. In 2015 I decided a move to London would enhance my career and became a Duty Manager at The Connaught Hotel, Mayfair, London and now I take the prestigious role of Front Office Manager at the historical Claridge's Hotel. I have been a member of the AICR UK since 2014 and was voted onto the committee in 2017. I am very much looking forward to working with the AICR UK and a very exciting future.

Jennifer Taylor

Representative of AICR Scotland Sub-Section

Currently Front of House Manager at The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, I have worked at The Savoy in London and at the Fairmont Monte Carlo in different roles within Rooms Division. Excited to join the UK Committee after being a social media representative for the Scottish sub-section during 2020. I will be looking to promote the AICR in Scotland and expand our Scottish network and Amicale!

Jamie Whiteford

Treasurer

After falling in love with hospitality, studying and working for Radisson in Glasgow I made the move to London almost a decade ago starting my life here with Firmdale. I have since opened two properties, Corinthia Hotel London and The Ned as well as spending time at an alternative offering, Ace Hotel London Shoreditch. I currently have taken the role of opening Hotel Manager at upcoming The Twenty Hotel, debuting in Mayfair, London. Beginning from an early age I’ve always enjoyed pushing the boundaries and exploring alternative ways of offering what we do, my goal is to one day lead my own brand and this is a huge reason I engage with organisations such as the AICR. I joined a little over in 2016 and joined the committee in 2017. In my second year on the committee, I have taken up the role of treasurer.

Thomas Reesink

Treasury Assistant

I am a dedicated and passionate Front Office Manager at the Corinthia London. Going into his 8th year working in the UK, I am looking forward to help rebuild the hotel industry to what it was pre-pandemic. By joining the AICR committee, I would like to give something back to the amazing sector that we work in.

James Clark

Sponsorship

I started my hospitality career 10 years ago, working as a Kitchen Porter in a local hotel to my hometown – St. Helens. I learned of my love for the hospitality industry at De Vere Academy of Hospitality, at the age of 19. From here I worked at the Hilton group in Liverpool, moving south to London in 2013 with the Red Carnation Hotel Group, where I learned of the brilliant AICR, coming runner up in the AICR Receptionist of The Year Competition. My love for travel saw me spend a couple of years in Australia working for both Art Series Hotels and back with Hilton. Upon my return to the UK in 2016 – I joined Hyatt Hotels, at Andaz London Liverpool Street, and post that, opened Great Scotland Yard Hotel in 2019 – part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt where I am today as Operations Manager. I am ever so grateful to be apart of the fantastic committee and look forward to bringing my energy and passion for Front Office to the association, especially in these testing times.

Paola Osorio

Membership Secretary

I joined the AICR UK in 2016.  I have worked in the Hotel industry in various national Hotel companies in Mexico and later joined Starwood Hotels and Resorts which gave me the opportunity to transfer to the UK.  Most recently I worked for Park Plaza Hotels Europe. The roles I have always held have been operational –from Reservations to Housekeeping and of course Front of House and in large-volume hotels. I joined the AICR UK Committee in 2018 and currently I am helping with the administration of Memberships. I have enjoyed every minute of being a member of the Amicale and I have become passionate about promoting, spreading the word of what we do and becoming involved in alternate activities such as the Mentoring programme. I truly believe the AICR has a paramount role in the industry and I am very proud to be part of it.

Jad Lian

Communication & Social Media Manager

I entered the world of hospitality while studying a Bachelor degree in Hospitality Management. In 2008 I started working for Small Luxury Hotels of the World as a Night Manager moving to becoming a Head Concierge holding the Clefs d’Or in Helsinki, Finland. I worked for many hotel groups in Scandinavia before moving to London 5 years ago where I moved to rooms division as a Guest Service Manager at The Hoxton Shoreditch. In 2019 I took up a new role as Assistant Front Office Manager at the Andaz London Liverpool Station. I joined the AICR UK in 2017 and the committee in 2019. I look forward to keep being part of the AICR UK and assist with all communications and our social media platforms.

Lee Osman

Mentoring and Junior Members Coordinator

I have been a member of the AICR for the last three years and it has been absolutely wonderful. I have truly been lucky to work and gain experience from some of the best hotels in London. The Hyatt Churchill, The Ritz London and Connaught. Having been working at the quintessentially British hotel the Goring for the past 4 & ½ years and now as an Assistant Reception manager I truly could not be more delighted to be part of such a charismatic hotel. I am very proud and fortunate to be part of the AICR family & association for the past few years and could not be more happier to be part of something so special that allows people from the hospitality industry and especially front office to connect ,share and be a source of aspiration for the future. My role as a mentor of the AICR has encouraged me to want to give back and support others as I have been supported in my career. I’m excited to be part of the AICR committee. I have no doubt that I would bring my skills, passion and drive to the AICR and a little bit of laughter never hurt anyone. I’m certain that I would learn a great deal of knowledge & experience from everyone in the AICR committee.

Kai Lux

Committee Secretary

My career in the industry started back in 2007 with a 3-year apprenticeship to Hotel Industry Expert, followed by working as Deputy Front of House Manager in a historic, privately owned 4-star superior hotel in a beautiful Art Nouveau town, nestled in the vineyards among the river Moselle. I left Germany and moved to London in 2014, firstly working at the St. James’s Hotel & Club as Duty Manager, among other roles, and since mid-2017 for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in their EMEA Headquarter in Hammersmith, looking after Hotel Operations for the Western Europe Region. Having joined the AICR UK back in 2016, I’ve been passionate about this association and our values. The AICR is more than a gathering for networking purposes, it’s an Amicale, where like minded friends come together to experience and explore the facets and beauty of our industry. I am grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to its success as committee member of the UK Section.