Willie Willie McCurrach FIH and Norman Springford FIH have been awarded OBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Curriculum head of food at City of Glasgow College, Willie McCurrach FIH (pictured above), was awarded the OBE for services to education in the hospitality industry. He said the honour was “absolutely incredible”.
“I’ve been in the job for 50 years and I still love it. I love seeing the students move forward and I enjoy nurturing their skills while they’re here. Seeing their knowledge develop and being able to work with such incredible staff is the real honour.”
McCurrach has been working at the college since 1978 and in that time has mentored hundreds of students – including Scotland’s National Chef and MasterChef 2016 winner Gary Maclean. He has made pancakes for HRH Prince Charles and won countless awards including the industry’s most prestigious accolade, the Catey Award.
Norman Springford FIH, executive chairman, Apex Hotels, was awarded an OBE for services to the Scottish tourism industry. Apex Hotels is a Company Patron of the Institute of Hospitality.
Springford said: “Our company was founded on the principle of good old fashioned hospitality and service with a smile. Fast forward 22 years and we still remain as committed as ever to extending a warmer welcome to every guest in all of our hotels.
“The success of the Apex brand comes down to the tremendous work of the amazing, talented and dedicated people working across the group. I am humbled to receive this honour which is testament to a huge team effort.”
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