Overview

Stephen brings 30+ years experience in the hospitality industry, prior joining Hatton & Berkeley to head up the expansion of the Explorers Club society international club houses.

History

Beginning his hotel career in 1980 with The Savoy Group at The Berkeley Hotel as a commis waiter,  he then spent two years on board Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth II before joining The Ritz London for the first time in 1984. After two years at The Ritz Restaurant, he became Restaurant Manager at the age of 22 at the St. Ermins Hotel, followed by a similar position at the Sheraton Park Towers Hotel, becoming the youngest manager appointed to a 5 star fine dining restaurant in London at that time and being the recipient of the President’s Award in recognition of his successes as a Manager.

In 1993 Boxall was asked to re-join the Savoy Group to take over the job of Restaurant Manager at The Berkeley Hotel.  In 1996, he returned once again to The Ritz where he accepted the position of Restaurant Manager at the award winning Ritz Restaurant.  During the next seven years Stephen directed operations in The Restaurant, developing the traditional table-side theatre service for which The Ritz is renowned and overseeing many of the prestigious private dining events hosted by members of the British and European Royal families.

In 2001 Stephen Boxall was promoted to Hotel Manager of The Ritz and spent the next eighteen months in a day-to-day finance, operations and rooms management capacity, graduating in the Advanced Management Development Degree Course at Cranfield University.  In 2003 Boxall was appointed General Manager of the 134 room grand luxe hotel.

In 1996 Stephen was invited to contribute to the hotel and catering industry service and training thesis, “The Theory of Catering” by Ronald Kinton, Victor Ceserani MBE.

Stephen has been a member of the Champagne Academy since 1991, he has also been invested into the Academy of Culinary Arts, becoming an Honorary Member of the Academy of Food and Wine Services.

In 2005 he introduced the Prince’s Trust program ‘Get Into Hospitality’ at The Ritz.  Set up by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (now King Charles), this unique program was designed to introduce and educate young people into the hospitality industry.

In 2006 Boxall was responsible for overseeing the milestone of The Ritz centenary celebrations, along with the opening in 2007 of William Kent House, the spectacular 18th century mansion house adjoining the hotel.

In September 2009, Boxall was appointed Managing Director of The Ritz London.  At the announcement of his new role he said “This is an exciting and challenging time for us all at The Ritz. As we continue to invest in the restoration and traditions of our legendary hotel, I look forward to steering the hotel towards yet greater levels of excellence in hospitality and uncompromising service standards.”

In 2010, he became an Honorary Fellow of the University of West London, followed in 2011 by a Fellowship of the Institute of Hospitality and a Directorship from the Heart of London for its successful Piccadilly BID.

Stephen is the Managing Director of The Explorers Club, London. He is presently overseeing the club house design refit and launch. The Explorers Club in London, Mayfair opens September 2024.