Permission To Drive Her Sheep Over London Bridge!!
Theresa Maw has been given the in recognition of her work in the hospitality industry over three decades, and entitling her to drive her sheep over London Bridge. It is not known whether either Theresa or Marriott intend to invest in the necessary sheep to take advantage of this privilege (but see quote below)…
This new honour comes on top of being recognised as a Master Innholder. Master Innholders is an honour dating back to 1473. The Worshipful Company of Innholders is number 32 of the 108 Livery Companies of London. Their origins lie in the mediaeval Guilds which were formed under license of the Crown to regulate their crafts, trades and services within the square mile.
Theresa will be allowed to carry a sword in public, if she feels the desire, and the good news, for anyone in the hospitality industry, is that if found by the police to be drunk and incapable (most certainly this would not happen) the police have a duty to put her in a taxi and send her home rather than arresting her. Sounds like a Get Out Of Jail Free Card.
Speaking of her latest honour she said: “This is going to be such an incredible experience for me. I am delighted to be given the freedom of the city I love. Maybe I will bring some sheep to work next week!!”
Theresa’s career
Theresa Maw’s career spans over thirty years of working in the hospitality industry with 28 hotel openings around the world to her credit. And she is the most decorated person working in the hotel business today.
Maw started her career at the Cunard International Hotel – now the Novotel – where she gained grass roots training from front of house to back of house, food and beverage plus sales and guest relations. Five years later she packed her bags and went travelling the world stopping in Australia and Asia to experience new cultures.
Back in London she was appointed guest relations manager at the Chelsea hotel in Knightsbridge followed in June 1985 by a position at the five-star Grosvenor Square Marriott hotel. Promotions swiftly followed including a first directorship.
She was in charge of the transition of a selection of major country house hotels to Marriott in the UK before embarking on a new role as director of international operations. She was based in Washington and head of training and performance support for Marriott, travelling the world again out of the US, in search of “champions” for the group who she trained in her skills before sending them back to their own hotels.
Theresa opened five-star Marriott hotels in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Cairo and Bangkok before in 2000 returning to London to open the five-star Renaissance Chancery Court as hotel manager.
In 2002 she gained her first general manager title opening the London Marriott Park Lane, becoming the first female to achieve this position in any Park Lane Hotel.Maw was then promoted to general manager for the Chancery Court in 2006.
In 2011 Theresa Maw was appointed general manager of the five-star Marriott County Hall – the most iconic hotel in London. She has been responsible for the success of the hotel and the launch of Gillray’s Steakhouse and Bar which is fast becoming the best steak dining experience in London.