Industry tributes to The Queen

Following the passing of The Queen, some leading industry figures have been telling us what she meant to them...

Wendy Bartlett




Founder, BM
We, like the rest of the country, feel great felt sadness after hearing of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. She has always been the constant in this sometimes crazy world that we live in. As a leader, there was nobody like her. She was always clear on what she stood for and her sense of duty to her people was incredible. 

I’ve been blessed to have had private tours around Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace –one of the many advantages of being a caterer – and what struck me the most was the level of focus put into minimising waste, and the absolute attention to detail across the estate. She inspired people to do better.

Regardless of where you work, who you are and what you do, the lessons learnt from Her Majesty The Queen have been invaluable. Being great is one thing, but being great for 70 years is quite remarkable. 

In my mind, there is no greater role model for commitment, duty and leadership. She will be sorely missed by so many. 

Edward Griffiths
Trustee, The Gold Service Scholarship

The news of the death of our Queen is a profound loss to the nation and to so many people around the world. The magnitude of this devasting news is yet to impact on us all. She has been a pillar of strength for over 70 years and for most of us, she has been a guiding light through times of joy and sorrow.

“For me personally, and indeed for so many others, she has been a beacon of inspiration, and I feel deeply privileged to have known her and to have worked for her for many years. Her wisdom, her wit and her radiant smile will remain ever present.

With her unwavering belief in striving for excellence, and with her appreciation of service, The Queen has blessed us in The Gold Service Scholarship with her gracious patronage over the past decade. Together with all the trustees of the Scholarship, we will greatly mourn her loss.

 Her Majesty’s sense of duty, her humility, and her diplomatic and considered leadership will leave an indelible mark, and her legacy will continue to galvanise and encourage us in the future. Our heartfelt condolences are with the Royal Family at this time of such great sorrow.

Ronan Harte
Chief executive officer, BaxterStorey

The Queen was an outstanding individual. Throughout her 96 years of life, she remained incredibly dedicated to public service, right up until her final days. Her funeral procession in London was a fitting tribute to her extraordinary life and reign as sovereign. 
Her connection with our industry through her patronage of the Gold Service Scholarship, chaired by Alastair Storey, chairman of Westbury Street Holdings, and her support for hospitality will remain greatly appreciated by all those who had the honour to meet her. Her impact and influence will be widely missed across our nation, and the world.


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