‘An Oscar-winning moment’: Acorn winner hails hospitality as a career for life

A 2025 Acorn Award winner has spoken of receiving his award as an “Oscar-winning moment in my career so far”.

Alexander Horswill, who won his Acorn Award last year while assistant professor at Edge Hotel School, University of Essex, said: “Winning an Acorn Award feels like an Oscar-winning moment in my career so far. It is incredibly rewarding to be recognised for the hard work, long hours and energy I have put into teaching and mentoring.”

He added that the winners’ weekend felt very special as he was “surrounded by so many driven and inspiring individuals, people who are just as passionate about hospitality as I am”.

When receiving his award at the winners’ three-course lunch at Dakota Manchester, he shared that the sector “is full of possibility”, adding: “I may not know what is around the corner, but I do know that hospitality is a career for life. Whether it is a guest or a colleague, connecting with people and making them smile is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”