Ivor Spencer
Encyclopedia
Ivor Spencer, MBE
(20 November 1924 – 10 January 2009) was the founder of the Ivor Spencer International School for Butlers and the Professional School for Toastmasters.
Spencer was born in East London
and started out as a chef
at the Dorchester Hotel
in that city before choosing to become a toastmaster in 1956. In 1977, he established the Professional School for Toastmaster
s and has since gone to officiate at over 1,000 royal events.
In 1981, he opened up the Ivor Spencer School of Butlers and Personal Assistants in Dulwich, a suburb of London. Under this school, he has trained butler
s and catering staff throughout the world in hotels such as the Ocean Club in the Bahamas and the Park Tower in Argentina. One of his graduates, David Morgan, is now Head Butler and in charge of 28 butlers at The St. Regis Hotel
in New York
. As of 2006, Ivor Spencer's course for aspiring butlers runs twice a year and costs approximately £5,375. The course spans six weeks and covers the ins and outs of being a butler.
On 27 June 2002, Prince Charles made him an MBE
at Buckingham Palace
in the Queen
’s Golden Jubilee
year. He has also made television appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman and the Today Show.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(20 November 1924 – 10 January 2009) was the founder of the Ivor Spencer International School for Butlers and the Professional School for Toastmasters.
Spencer was born in East London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and started out as a chef
Chef
A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.-Etymology:The word "chef" is borrowed ...
at the Dorchester Hotel
Dorchester Hotel
The Dorchester is a luxury hotel in London, opened on 18 April 1931. It is situated on Park Lane in Mayfair, overlooking Hyde Park.The Dorchester was created by the famous builder Sir Robert McAlpine and the managing director of Gordon Hotels Ltd, Sir Frances Towle, who shared a vision of creating...
in that city before choosing to become a toastmaster in 1956. In 1977, he established the Professional School for Toastmaster
Toastmaster
Toastmaster is a general term, prevalent in the United States in the middle 20th century, referring to a person in charge of the proceedings of a public speaking event. The toastmaster is typically charged with organization of the event, arranging the order of speakers, introducing one or more of...
s and has since gone to officiate at over 1,000 royal events.
In 1981, he opened up the Ivor Spencer School of Butlers and Personal Assistants in Dulwich, a suburb of London. Under this school, he has trained butler
Butler
A butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
s and catering staff throughout the world in hotels such as the Ocean Club in the Bahamas and the Park Tower in Argentina. One of his graduates, David Morgan, is now Head Butler and in charge of 28 butlers at The St. Regis Hotel
The St. Regis Hotel
The St. Regis New York is a Forbes five-star, AAA five-diamond luxury hotel in Manhattan. It stands on Fifth Avenue, four blocks from Central Park.-Construction and opening:...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. As of 2006, Ivor Spencer's course for aspiring butlers runs twice a year and costs approximately £5,375. The course spans six weeks and covers the ins and outs of being a butler.
On 27 June 2002, Prince Charles made him an MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
in the Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
’s Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee
A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
year. He has also made television appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman and the Today Show.