Quickfire 10 with Kate Mitchell: NEWH Scholarship Awards
Ahead of the NEWH UK Fundraiser and Scholarship Awards, we caught up with Kate Mitchell, Scholarship Director and Commercial Lead at Timorous Beasties, for a Quickfire 10 (ish) on NEWH’s mission, the power of scholarships, and why this charity-driven network is shaping the next generation of hospitality talent.
This yearth NEWH UK Fundraiser and Scholarship Awards celebration takes place on Thursday 16 October 2025 at Furniture Makers’ Hall, 12 Austin Friars, London, EC2N 2HE, where guests will gather for an evening of connection, collaboration, and celebration.
Tickets are nearly sold out — join NEWH in celebrating the next generation of hospitality designers and leaders! Click here.
1. Who are you?
Kate Mitchell, Scholarship Director, Commercial Lead at Timorous Beasties
2. Describe NEWH in three words.
Support[ive], Connection, Educating
3. How do those words come to life through the organisation’s work?
The NEWH supports students through collaborations with key designers, suppliers and hotel management leaders from the hospitality industry to educate them, and help them grow and make connections.
4. Why is it important to be a charity?
Being a charity ensures that we attract and work with people who want to give back and are mindful about the resources we have.
5. How many 2025 scholarship students?
We have 4 scholarships – 3 Interior Design and 1 Hotel Management recipient.
6. What do they receive?
Each recipient will receive £3,000, and a little surprise on the night!
7. Beyond financial help, what kind of doors does the scholarship open?
On top of the financial support, the scholarship recipients have the chance to connect and network with key industry professionals as student NEWH Members. The scholarship judges also stay connected with the students, both during their education and as they graduate, so doors open early for them!
8. What does it mean to the student scholars?
An opportunity to build relationships and an early insight into hospitality interior design and hotel management.
9. How have past recipients described the impact on their education or career path?
We see that recipients have secured work placements through key professionals who support the scholarships. You just have to look at our NEWH Scholarship team to see how being a recipient impacts your career – most of them have stepped into roles on their graduation with major interior practices that they have met on their scholarship journey.
10. National university inclusion – why?
We need to offer support to the wealth of talented students throughout the UK.
11. How does being part of NEWH’s international community elevate what you do locally?
Being part of an international community gives us stability, presence and opportunity to share what the NEWH does globally. It helps grow connections and despite being a small part of the NEWH community, the UK Chapter is making a really positive impact within the industry locally.
12. Favourite success story?
This is the 2nd year of the NEWH Hotel Management scholarship. It has given the recipients (both from universities outside London) an opportunity to tour hotels, meet and have guidance with General Managers of key London properties such as Pan Pacific, Kimpton Fitzroy and Hart Shoreditch (Hilton). In turn these amazing managers have supported the NEWH with venue hire for educational events which allows us to conserve funds for our student scholarships. If you would prefer a specific student getting a job story instead let me know?
13. How can we celebrate the student scholars success?
We celebrate these amazing students success and their future in the hospitality industry at our Annual Fundraiser and Awards Evening, being held at Furniture Makers Hall, 12 Austin Friars, London, EC2N 2HE. An evening of making connections and celebration….
The NEWH UK Chapter continues to open doors for emerging talent by bridging education and industry, supported by a global network of hospitality professionals. With the help of generous sponsors — Hypnos Beds (Headline Sponsor), Ulster Carpets, Lutron, and ABI Interiors — the event ensures that funds raised directly support future scholarship winners.