Acorn Awards 2025: Abbie Bates, Cameron House

Age 26

Position Restaurant general manager, Cameron House      

Nominator Michelle Grant, HR director, Cameron House

Joining Cameron House in 2022, Bates quickly progressed from Clubhouse restaurant manager to general manager of the newly launched La Vista. With no previous experience of opening a venue, she took on the challenge head-first – leading recruitment, training and operations while still managing her original role. The result? A seamless launch, substantial revenue for the hotel and a coveted win at the 2024 Scottish Italian Awards for Best Italian in the West.

While only 26, her ambition, calm leadership and strong business acumen continue to drive results. Despite a partial closure for refurbishment, La Vista exceeded its financial targets last year. 

Alongside operational excellence, she’s focused on developing young talent and fostering a culture of growth. With 40% of her 40-strong team under 18, Bates’s mentoring and tailored training programmes have helped team members rise from apprentices to supervisors and assistant managers.

Bates’s impact extends beyond the resort. She actively promotes hospitality careers through local school visits, university tours and international student exchanges. From leading pizza-making workshops to delivering motivational talks, she’s become a visible advocate for the industry’s future.

She also supports fellow leaders at the hotel, mentoring new F&B managers and taking on extra responsibilities across multiple outlets. Her inclusive leadership style, clear communication and hands-on approach have made her a standout role model – especially for young women in hospitality.