Acorn Awards 2026: Cameron Chritchley, Dakota Manchester Airport

Position Hotel manager, Dakota Manchester Airport 

Age 29

Nominator Lauren Martin, learning and development executive, Dakota Hotels

Since joining Dakota Hotels in 2016 as a summer intern, Cameron Chritchley has progressed through the business while building a reputation for people-first leadership.

Following his internship, Chritchley moved to the Manchester Dakota as guest relations manager, refining his guest experience skills as he progressed through duty manager and assistant operations manager roles. After that, he took on the role of hotel manager in Dakota Edinburgh, and then his ambitions came to life when he became part of the pre-opening and launch team of the sixth Dakota hotel in Newcastle. There, he shaped culture, recruited and nurtured a new team and created standards and consistency from day one.

Chritchley brings a natural warmth alongside people‑first leadership and meticulous standards. He is regularly seen on the floor, supporting his teams and making sure every guest feels cared for, taking a hands-on approach to guest feedback and using it to drive improvements.

Chritchley has also mentored and coached emerging leaders, with four people progressing into senior roles and two others going on to become hotel managers. 

After completing training in Radical Candour, a management theory based on ‘care personally’ and ‘challenge directly’, he has transformed how he coaches others, with his kind feedback helping people grow while preserving empathy. 

What sets Chritchley apart is how he looks beyond the walls of his hotel to the wider industry. He has built strong links with Newcastle College, welcoming students into the hotel and offering apprenticeship opportunities to give young people their first step into hospitality, and has also worked closely with the Newcastle United Foundation, introducing the sector to young people who may not have otherwise considered it.