Acorn Awards 2026: Chloe Brown, InterContinental Edinburgh the George

Position Head of F&B, InterContinental Edinburgh the George

Age 29

Nominator Katie Palmer, senior marketing manager, IHG Hotels

After starting her hospitality career at the age of 17 as a waitress in a local pub while still in school, Chloe Brown has progressed through the ranks to now being instrumental to the operation of one of Edinburgh’s busiest hotels, the InterContinental Edinburgh the George.

Since joining in November 2024, Brown has taken full ownership of the F&B operation, delivering improvements across revenue, profitability and guest experience. Over the past year, she has increased gross operating income by more than 50% while improving margins and tightening cost control, despite ongoing supplier inflation.

Her impact is particularly clear at steakhouse restaurant Le Petit Beefbar, where revenue has grown by more than 16% year-on-year. Through menu engineering and a focus on spend per cover, Brown has strengthened performance while maintaining quality. Alongside this, she has created initiatives, such as premium bottled water and bread offerings, which have generated additional revenue within nine months, while her initiative to change table configurations delivered revenue in the tens of thousands annually.

Brown has also had a transformative impact on team culture. She has restructured leadership roles, created progression pathways and promoted multiple team members into leadership roles, including restaurant manager, bar manager and head bartender. Her leadership style is constructive and hands-on – during a period of senior absence, she personally stepped up to lead the breakfast operation. 

As well as supporting the wider business through marketing, events and operational support, she also mentors students and contributes to local charity initiatives, such as completing a 100-mile fundraising challenge for Children in Need.

Her volunteer work includes time with Feeding Families, where she helps provide food and companionship for individuals who cannot afford meals or older people experiencing loneliness, and with a local hospice, where she helped organise and deliver an afternoon tea.