HAMA Europe is delighted to announce the establishment of a new annual award to honour its 3rd president who sadly lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in July 2023. The Christian Youens Award will establish a lasting legacy for their past Treasurer and President.

In establishing The Christian Youens Award for the hospitality industry, we not only celebrate the indelible mark Christian left within our industry and his peers, but we also strive to perpetuate his values and unwavering dedication. Current President, Sophie Richard

The award as part of the well-established HEMI Program (HAMA Europe Mentoring Initiative) will capture and reflect many of Christian’s values, and ensure, as he was so keen to do, that we continue to recognise the future talent of our wonderful industry, specifically in the specialism of Asset Management.

This accolade aims to recognise the “Hotel Asset Manager rising star” – a student who, throughout the mentorship program, exemplifies the values. The award signifies not only a technical interest in our industry but, more importantly, it reflects profound commitment, flexibility, and insatiable curiosity that keeps enriching our industry.

HAMA Europe’s board and wider members, wanted to create a lasting legacy for Christian, to whom many he was a friend, colleague or simply a voice of reason, we are truly delighted that with the support of his family we can launch this new award in 2024, our 10th anniversary year. Paul Harnedy, Board Member of HAMA Europe

HAMA Europe expect to announce the first recipient of this prestigious award at their autumn conference in November 2024.

For more information, please visit https://hama-europe.org/.

About HAMA Europe

HAMA Europe is an association of professional individuals who are dedicated to the enhancement of hotel and hospitality asset values.

The Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) Europe was founded in 2014 to provide European hospitality asset managers with intense semi-annual forums, industry communications and professional development. HAMA Europe promotes ethical standards of conduct and mutual respect among members and the hospitality industry.

HAMA Europe members are involved in asset management, acquisition, financing and disposition of hotels and resorts and are directly responsible for making decisions concerning capital investments, renovations, asset repositioning, operational policies and brand and management selection.

Our membership roster includes representation from institutional funds, individual owners, private equity investors, real estate groups —all dedicated to the hospitality industry.

As a non-profit organisation, HAMA Europe, through its members presence at HAMA Europe meetings and industry events continues to advance its stated purpose to promote the enhancement of hotel asset values.