Future managers in the global hospitality sector have been boosted by a major charitable donation.

The Oxford Brookes University department of Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Management has received £600,000 from the Savoy Educational Trust which, after Government match funding, will rise to £900,000.

The cash will be used to provide a major facility at Brookes’ Headington campus, where students will build professional relationships and work away from the lecture theatre, as well as developing world-class research in the field.

Head of the department, Donald Sloan, said: “The trust normally gives a number of small grants to students, so it is a privilege to receive it.

“The new space will allow students to share ideas, discuss research and industry practice.

“We want to produce students who are confident and can maximise their professional potential as they go into management positions in the hospitality industry.”

The department will be relaunched as the Oxford School of Hospitality Management at an event at London’s Savoy Hotel tomorrow.

About 120 students will enrol on the course next year and Mr Sloan said virtually all of them would find a job afterwards.

There are six applications for every place available.

Graduates include Patrick Elsmie, general manager of the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, and Simon Blagden, chief executive of Jamie’s Italian restaurants.

The new facilities will be part of ongoing redevelopment at the Gipsy Lane campus.

Professor Janet Beer, vice chancellor of Oxford Brookes, said: “With this generous donation we can create world-class facilities.

“The Savoy Educational Trust has displayed its commitment to the intellectual and professional development of those who aspire to leadership positions in the international hospitality industry.”

Ramon Pajares, chairman of the trust, said: “The hospitality department has an extremely good reputation.

“The trustees are extremely proud that one of their biggest-ever awards will create a first-class learning environment for hospitality students.”