Acorn Awards 2025: David Morgan, voco Grand Central hotel
Morgan is a rising leader redefining what early-career impact can look like in hospitality
Age 24
Position Assistant conference and banqueting manager, voco Grand Central hotel
Nominator Verity Bremner, cluster HR business partner, voco Grand Central hotel
At just 24, David Morgan is already making waves in Scottish hospitality.
After starting as a conference and banqueting team member at Glasgow’s voco Grand Central hotel in 2021, Morgan’s rise has been rapid and well-earned. Within months, he was promoted to team leader, followed by a standout year on the hotel’s Leading Others programme, which earned him a CTH Level 4 Diploma in Hospitality Leadership. He has also been a dynamic and long-standing member of the hotel’s Employee Colleague Committee Representative Group, where he continues to demonstrate his blend of charisma, care and drive.
Now assistant conference and banqueting manager, Morgan leads a team of 60 and helps deliver events for up to 400 guests at a time. In 2024 alone, the department generated significant revenue and served over 62,000 guests – milestones he helped make possible through hands-on leadership and flawless execution of events, including hosting 450 people for the HIT Scotland Emerging Talent Conference.
Beyond his day-to-day duties, Morgan has shown his commitment to bringing fresh talent into the hospitality team. He played a pivotal role at a recruitment event with the Prince’s Trust where his collaboration with F&B and HR led to 20 successful hires. He’s also a passionate industry ambassador, regularly engaging with schools and colleges and mentoring young talent. He also works with local charities, having raised over £11,000 for Glasgow Children’s Hospital and the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice.
Currently balancing his full-time role with a BA (Hons) in Business Management, Morgan is also carving out a niche in social media and marketing, championing internal stories to amplify the hotel’s brand.
Driven, versatile and people-first, Morgan is a rising leader redefining what early-career impact can look like in hospitality.
How do you get the best out of your team?
“I really believe in ‘growing our own talent’ in this industry. By creating a culture of learning and offering continuous development opportunities, I’ve seen my team’s engagement grow as they advance in their careers. I also think it’s important to lead by example; when my team sees that no job is beneath any of us, it resonates with them and fosters a strong sense of teamwork.”
What excites you about your future in hospitality?
“I am genuinely excited about the prospects that lie ahead in my hospitality career. The continuous opportunities for development and growth fuel my passion, enabling me to expand my knowledge and skill set while making remarkable connections through networking initiatives like this. The thrill of working in such a dynamic environment alongside an incredible team means that no two days are ever the same. I embrace the challenge of adapting to new situations and meeting the diverse needs of our guests with enthusiasm and dedication.”
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