COMMITMENT

James Thomson's commitment to the hospitality industry has led to close and active involvement with a number of organizations including;

Scottish Enterprise Tourism Delegation

British Hospitality Association Restaurant Panel, Vice Chairman

British Hospitality Association, Board Member

Edinburgh Restaurateur's Association, founder member and past Chairman

Springboard Scotland, founder member

Hospitality Industry Trust Just for Starters Charitable Initiative, founder member

Telford College James Thomson Customer Care Award, endowed 1999

The Old Town Charitable Trust, Trustee The Old Town Business Association, founder member

In addition to industry-based initiatives James shows keen support for local communities by sponsoring several youth football teams and other community-based projects.

James Thomson, who started his business with the opening of the Witchery in 1979, now owns and manages three restaurants within Edinburgh, assisted by a staff and management team of 93 full-time employees. James invests heavily in staff training and was the first independent restaurant in Scotland to be accredited with Investors in People. His dedication to the industry is reflected in the time he gives to many organisations including the British Hospitality Association, Hospitality Industry Trust, Hospitality Host and Springboard.

Scottish Tourist Board on James award as Manager of the Year.

It is great to see a company which epitomises quality and flair receiving this accolade and to see a business involved in tourism taking the top award. Tom Buncle, Chief Executive, Scottish Tourist Board on the Company of the Year Award.

The organisation's corporate culture is strongly influenced by the vision and values of the proprietor and is focussed on providing world-class hospitality. The Witchery and Tower has a dynamic and innovative leadership, with clear vision and challenging goals who are setting and achieving world-class standards in doing so. LEEL on winning the Lothian Company of the Year in the Business Excellence Awards.

The Witchery epitomises the standards Edinburgh should be looking to achieve. The message is that Edinburgh boasts world-class organisations. It is recognition of the fact that they have been improving over a constantly over a number of years and have now reached a very high standard indeed. And they have ambitions to go on improving-they are not standing still. Jim Easton, Business Excellence Awards Assessor.

Should you require any pictures or further information on the Witchery Restaurant, James Thomson or the Witchery Group please contact Mark Rowley on 0131 225 0976 or email

Back to Top