Richard Williams needs no introduction, his work in the hospitality industry is legendary. He was born in Barbados to a Canadian Mother and Barbadian Father and was educated at Appleby College, Canada and Cornell University USA. His many triumphs are much lauded but he is best known for his extraordinary achievements with the iconic Sandy Lane Hotel.

He was first appointed to Sandy Lane in 1989 by Trust House Forte, which was, at the time, the largest hotel group in the world and Sandy Lane the jewel in its crown. After overwhelming success in the early 70’s, the legendary hotel was seen to be underperforming, and Richard was brought in as General Manager to rectify this. During his epochal eight years, his innovative and dynamic style of leadership drove an enormous upsurge in popularity that culminated in a much-publicised buyout by a private consortium.

​His services were retained, in the new role of Chief Executive, and he spearheaded the redevelopment and executed the $500 million US Dollar planning and redesign. As a result, Sandy Lane remains to this day the preeminent, independent resort hotel in the world.

awards

  • Awarded 'The Silver Crown of Merit' by the Barbados Government for his services to tourism.
  • Selected as one of 'The Top 25 Minds in Marketing' by The International Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association.
  • Special Award from the Caribbean Congress of Trade Unions for Human Resource Management.
  • The first Barbadian to be awarded Hotelier of the Year' by the Caribbean Hotel Association.

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Engineered the hotel room component of The Barbados Governments bid to host the World Cup Cricket final.
  • Delivered 70,000 new air seats per annum from the USA to Barbados.
  • First Caribbean Hotelier to introduce 'In Suite Check In'.
  • First Caribbean Hotelier to introduce an unlimited watersports programme. 
  • As Chairman of the Caribbean Hotel Association’s Marketing Committee, he led the team which created: 'The Caribbean Gold Book' providing Caribbean hotels with their own dynamic tools for promotions to the retail travel trade, The annual 'Caribbean Marketplace' providing the hotel industry with a new paradigm for marketing and the 'CHARMS' Caribbean Hotel Reservation Service.

THE TEAM

Hansruedi
​Bolli​

European Consultant

GILLIAN
​HARPER

Sales & Marketing 

Casey kurlander​

Social Media 

GINA
​MOORE

Administration 

NATALIE D'ANGELO

Art Director

TONYA
​FAHARI

Digital Marketing 

CYNDI
MILLER aird

North American Sales

CHARLES MAYNARD

Hotel Operations

debbie 
chustek

Account Director
“Throughout the many years Richard has been involved in the Caribbean hospitality industry he has given his time and expertise to so many who have looked to him for guidance along their career paths..."

- LILLIAN DAY