Peter  Taylor, OBE

Proprietor - The Town House Company

Peter Taylor (PJT) is the owner and founder of The Town House Company, a collection of luxury Hotels, - Channings, The Bonham, The Howard and The Edinburgh Residence all based within the city centre of Edinburgh.  The hotels offer their own individual character, retaining many of the period features of Edinburgh's historic past.  This year has seen the company’s first foray outside of Edinburgh with the recent acquisition of the former Royal Scottish Automobile Club in Blythswood Square in Glasgow, where PJT is creating a five star hotel in a landmark building restoring it to its former glory but with a contemporary twist.

PJT graduated from Strathclyde University (Scottish Hotel School) and went on to train with Strand hotels, opening up the Albany Hotel in Glasgow.  He later worked as a director with Thistle, Forte and Stakis hotels before going it alone in 1984.  There can be little doubt that PJT spotted a niche in the Edinburgh hotel market with Channings providing a refreshing alternative to the large city hotels and has gone on to develop his own particular brand of boutique hotels.  In 1995 he acquired The Howard Hotel followed by The Bonham in 1999 and The Edinburgh Residence in 2002, all luxury townhouse style hotels based in the heart of Edinburgh.

PJT is recognised as a great visionary and ambassador for the tourism industry and business sector in Scotland.  PJT is past president of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and continues to work closely with the organisation.  He is past chairman of the Scottish Tourism Forum.

He has been awarded the highest accolade in the Scottish tourism industry, The Silver Thistle Award for outstanding achievement, which recognises his outstanding contribution to the development of tourism in Scotland.  He has also received two honorary degrees, one from Queen Margaret University College and the other from Napier University.  In 2005, PJT was awarded the OBE for his services to tourism in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

PJT is also deeply involved as an adviser to other independent businesses.  He is a Director of  Scottish Business in the Community, chairing a Business Support Group in North Edinburgh. PJT’s innovative, passionate approach to his hotels has created a highly motivated culture within The Town House Collection.  He has successfully embedded his core values of providing refreshing and memorable experiences through a hands-on and positive management style.