Acorn Awards 2025: Bharathkumar Ravichandran, Estelle Manor

Age 28

Position Floor manager, Estelle Manor

Nominator Giancarlo Baldoni, restaurant manager, Estelle Manor

Bharathkumar Ravichandran brings quiet determination, creativity and people-focused leadership to his role as floor manager at Estelle Manor, where he continues to play a key part in shaping the guest experience and culture at this luxury Oxfordshire property.

With a career that began in Radisson’s competitive food and beverage management trainee programme, Ravichandran’s path has spanned pre-openings, cost-saving initiatives and award recognition across India and the UK. Now, at Estelle Manor, he leads a team of up to 30, balancing high service standards with smart financial decisions and day-to-day adaptability.

In the past year, he has helped improve the hotel’s restaurant’s online visibility through direct guest engagement, introduced cost-saving measures without compromising service and stepped in to lead when the hotel was short-staffed. His work has contributed to strong operational performance and helped build the venue’s brand profile, including through his participation in various industry competitions.

Ravichandran takes an active role in team development, mentoring colleagues in both service skills and personal growth, such as educating his team on both personal and professional financial awareness. He has introduced more engaging team briefings and upskilled himself to better support a Gen Z workforce, completing external training to adapt his leadership style.

His influence extends beyond the restaurant floor, with a long-standing commitment to community impact and inclusion – volunteering his time for student development, supporting sustainability efforts and delivering inclusive baking classes for young people with Down syndrome.

Grounded, thoughtful and always innovative, Ravichandran is a leader who lifts those around him, setting high standards and meeting them with consistency, empathy and care.