2026 Speakers

Caroline Baldwin is a well-respected editor, writer and journalist based in London, working at The Caterer magazine. As part of her role as Deputy Editor she writes and commissions long-form content and analysis articles on the latest developments in the hospitality industry, as well as...

Natalie Bibbey is Partnership Sales Manager for Tripleseat Hotels, driving partnership and market growth across the UK and Europe for the industry’s fastest-growing event management platform. With nearly 15 years in hotel events across luxury and boutique properties, she brings real-world...

Lotti Bruce is Brand & Marketing Director at THE PIG hotels, the much-loved collection of restaurants with rooms rooted in the kitchen garden and the English countryside. With a passion for storytelling and building brands that feel authentic, Lotti has spent her career shaping experiences that ...

James B. Clarke MI is General Manager at London Hilton on Park Lane, located in the heart of Mayfair. With over 30 years of global hospitality experience, James brings a wealth of expertise gained from leadership roles across the UK, US and the Caribbean. In addition to his operational...

Lindsay Conway is a Sustainability Projects Officer at Lamington Group, where she leads the implementation of the company’s One Planet Living Strategy and Net Zero Carbon roadmap across its hospitality and real estate portfolio, including the award-winning room2 hometels. Her work spans...

Oliver Cousins is the Strategy Director at Screen Pilot - the newly formed hospitality agency born from Denver-based performance specialists Screen Pilot and London-based creative agency Ignite. His career has spanned brand packaging, creative advertising, media planning and integrated agencies. He ...

Harp Design delivers innovative, purpose-driven interior design solutions that transform vision into reality across diverse environments — from boutique hotels and vibrant restaurants to contemporary offices and distinctive marine spaces. With a seamless blend of creativity, strategy, and...

Liz Dixon VP of IT, Aimbridge EMEA, Vice President of IT leads a team who oversee hotel technology, Information Security and Enterprise applications across both hotel and the wider business with the goal of leveraging technology to enhance operations through clear IT strategy, effective tactical...

Ashleigh Donald is co-host of The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald, a weekly podcast sharing real stories and practical insights from hospitality and travel leaders, and co-founder of award-winning consultancy Halo Business Consulting. An award-winning hospitality...

Eray Dursun is an experienced executive and entrepreneur in the hospitality and gastronomy sectors. He has been working with Accor since 2007, holding senior leadership roles across multiple brands and market segments. He currently serves as General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Marmara...

Amy Edwards is a Senior People & Culture Officer at The Dorchester & 45 Park Lane, where she champions diversity, equity, and inclusion across one of London’s most prestigious hospitality brands. With a varied background spanning HR, restorative justice, and international retail, she brings ...

With more than two decades of experience in digital learning design and learning strategy, Owen Ferguson has worked across both industry and vendor organisations to develop evidence-based, performance-focused approaches to workplace learning. His career has centred on applying learning...

NEWTON FERNANDES Global Marketing Director, Multi Hospitality Newton Fernandes is the Global Marketing Director at Multi Hospitality, a strategic advisory dedicated to scaling commercial performance for hotels and hospitality businesses worldwide. With 18 years of international...

Clemens Fisch is Head of Sales EMEA at Triptease, leading commercial strategy and business development across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He previously spent eight years as Regional Director at SiteMinder and held a team leadership role at booking.com. With a career that began in frontline ...

Alexandra Freeman is Sustainability Manager at Lamington Group, a real estate investment, development and hospitality business recognised for its leadership in net zero hotels and sustainability. At Lamington Group, Alexandra manages the delivery of the One Planet Living Strategy and Net Zero...

Edward is a dynamic and results-driven learning professional with a passion forworkplace learning in the hospitality industry. As the Head of Learning and Development at Leonardo Hotels, he is dedicated to enhancing the skills, knowledge and behaviours of employees to drive business success and...

Thomas Greenall is Chief Executive Officer of Bespoke Hotels, the UK’s largest hotel management company of independant hotels, managing a diverse portfolio of properties on behalf of owners across the country. With a background spanning investment, hospitality, and property management, Thomas has...

Nik Gupta is CEO & Founder of Brightstar Hospitality, a leading multi-brand hotel operator in the UK. He brings extensive experience across hospitality, travel technology, and hotel operations. Prior to founding Brightstar, Nik was on the Executive Team at Skyscanner, leading the Hotels &...

Scott Hermiston is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Grosvenor House Suites, a leading luxury property in the heart of Mayfair, London. With experience in the luxury hospitality sector, he brings a strong track record in driving commercial performance, brand visibility, and strategic market...

Tudor Hopkins has been in the hotel business for over 35 years. Born and raised in Camden Town, London, Tudor trained to become a cocktail bartender at the legendary Bas Bartending School in London, he then worked in the Far East, where he assisted in the opening of the F Stop Bar and Grill in Lan ...

I love working with hotels to drive improvements in both top line revenue and bottom line profit via best in class digital marketing. We've got clients across a range of markets around the world and we're believers in equipping hotels to grow, regardless of market conditions.

Kalindi Juneja is the Chief Executive Officer of PoB Hotels (Pride of Britain Hotels), the UK’s leading collection of independent luxury hotels, where she shapes the strategic vision, brand direction and commercial growth of the organisation. With a career spanning more than two decades, she brings ...

Cathrine K. Reimann is the Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships & Community at Landfolk, the design-driven hospitality brand behind one of Europe’s fastest-growing curated portfolios of handpicked homes. Since its founding in early 2021, Landfolk has grown into a seven-market European brand...

Krishan Kadodwala leads the team responsible for hotel partner supply across the UK and Ireland within the Hotel Market Partnerships division of Expedia Group. With over 20 years of experience in commercial roles, account management, and new business development within the hospitality...

Cahal Kane is the UK & Ireland Country Lead for chatlyn, an AI-driven guest messaging platform trusted by 1,000+ hotels across 30 countries. He helps hospitality brands adopt practical AI tools that transform guest communication, streamline operations, and unlock new revenue opportunities. With ...

Gina Knight is the Head of People at Flat Iron, the growing UK restaurant group known for doing simple things well and putting people at the heart of the experience. Gina supports the culture, development and wellbeing of teams across the business, helping Flat Iron stay true to its belief that...

Marc Lantrok is VP of Customer Engagement at Accor, leading CRM and personalisation strategy across Europe and North Africa to drive sustainable revenue growth. He specialises in using data, AI and lifecycle marketing to turn customer insight into meaningful, high performing guest experiences.

James Lemon is Global Lead for Hospitality, Travel & High Growth Industries at Stripe, a financial infrastructure platform powering payments for millions of companies worldwide. Stripe’s customers range include Airbnb, Accor, Booking.com and hundreds of leading global companies, including 75%...

Mary Leonard is a creative director and brand strategist who works at the intersection of hospitality, experience, and complex, multidisciplinary design projects. She is the founder of MRLD (More Reason—Less Decoration), a creative and design studio that partners with hotel groups, developers, and...

I joined Harp Design in 2022 and have developed into a role that perfectly combines my passion for design with my strength in project management. With a background in interior and graphic design, I approach every project with creativity, structure, and an eye for detail — crafting spaces that are...

A father of 3 awesome children, who keep him young and a keen mountain biker. Gordon has been involved in the Hospitality & Tourism industry for over 40 years, 35 of them in Further Education, many as the Associate Dean of Hospitality, Tourism & Events at City of Glasgow College. Gordon is...

A Fellow of the IoH, Catt brings over 25 years of Global Distribution experience to her role as Vice President of Elegant Hotel Collection, a pioneering global soft brand powered by HotelREZ. Opening a new window onto the world, Elegant Hotel Collection celebrates the independent luxury hotels that ...

Florian Montag is a seasoned hospitality professional and Co-Founder of Hotelhero, a hotel software review platform that successfully exited to Apaleo in 2021. Now, as VP of Business Development at Apaleo, he drives revenue growth by expanding the company’s customer base and forging strategic...

Safina Naz is a behavioural scientist and PhD researcher in Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Surrey. Her work focuses on how hotels can design sustainability communication that feels authentic, emotionally credible, and capable of inspiring real behavioural change. Safina’s...

The passion for people, building strong teams and enhancing the guest experience have taken me in a journey with Accor Luxury brands in operational and corporate roles in different cities and countries. Currently at Sofitel London St James as General Manager since April 2019 and Regional my...

With over 20 years of experience in building automation, Lee Nunn leads Zennio’s hospitality division in the UK, supporting both global brands and independent operators in creating smarter, more sustainable guest environments.A recognised specialist in Guest Room Management Systems (GRMS) and...

Amanda Nutt is COO and Director of Coaching at Elevo, specialising in workplace wellbeing and DEI. After a 15-year corporate career – much of it spent in the hospitality industry – Amanda retrained as a health coach and transitioned into workplace wellbeing. She now supports organisations across...

Katie Owlett is the Head of Talent Acquisition at De Vere, where she leads on attracting, developing and championing talent across the hospitality business. A passionate advocate for the industry, Katie is committed to changing perceptions of hospitality and highlighting the diverse, long-term...

Hospitality isn’t just an industry, it’s a career full of opportunity, growth, and purpose. But too often, it’s misunderstood. My mission? To change that.I’m a people-first leader and expert in organisational development, specialising in SMEs navigating growth. I help businesses build the right...

Tommy Patterson leads the team responsible for hotel partner supply across within Expedia Group’s London Hotel Market Partnerships division. With more than 15 years of leadership experience in tourism and hospitality, he specializes in helping hotel partners strengthen their commercial performance...

Jane has worked with HOSPA (the Hospitality Professionals Association) for many years and has been CEO for nearly 10. HOSPA is a not-for-profit membership organisation for commercial leaders involved in finance, technology, revenue management and marketing alongside hospitality business owners and ...

 David Poprawka is an Innovation Strategist at Infor Hospitality, focused on shaping the company’s AI vision and translating emerging technologies into practical, scalable solutions for the hospitality industry. His work centers on generative and agentic AI, data platforms, and cloud-native...

Emma Pridding is the Spa Director at The Spa at Carden within the award-winning Carden Park estate in Cheshire, one of the UK’s most prestigious luxury wellness destinations. With over two decades of experience in the spa and hospitality industry, Emma’s journey at Carden Park began in 1997 and has ...

Mónica Redondo is a hospitality executive and operations strategist specialised in independent hotels. With a strong background in boutique hotel management, quality assurance and people development, she focuses on helping hospitality brands transform creativity and emotion into efficient, scalable ...

I'm a travel-tech founder, investor and advisor with 25 years building companies where technology meets hospitality. I co-founded Avvio in 2002 and led the company as CEO until its acquisition by SHR in 2022. In 2017, I launched Allora.ai — one of the earliest AI platforms in...

Josh Renouf is the Circular Design Manager at the Lamington Group, where he is developing one of the UK’s first in-house circular manufacturing systems for hospitality. His work focuses on transforming hotel waste streams; including coffee grounds, plastics, cardboard and glass; into functional...

Harp Design delivers innovative, purpose-driven interior design solutions that transform vision into reality across diverse environments — from boutique hotels and vibrant restaurants to contemporary offices and distinctive marine spaces. With a seamless blend of creativity, strategy, and...

Clare is the People Resourcing & Development Manager at Kew Green Hotels, where she leads initiatives to attract, develop, and retain talent across a fast-paced hospitality environment. With over 15 years’ experience in the hotel industry, most recently specialising in talent and people...

Allen joined UKHospitality in 2024 as Deputy CEO after five years as Executive Director and Acting Chief Executive of London & Partners, the global trade, investment and tourism promotion agency for the UK’s capital city as the city recovered from the pandemic. After starting his career at the...

With over 50 years’ experience with the hospitality industry, Adam has held many senior positions including General manager within Forte Hotels, Heritage Hotels, and Harbour Hotels. Following his retirement from the industry in 2015, Adam started Room to Reward together with Nicolas Roach the...

Samantha van Exter is a seasoned hotelier with over 25 years of experience across Southern Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Known for her leadership and strategic vision, she has held senior roles in prestigious hotel chains, significantly influencing the hospitality industry. Samantha began...

Rita is the CEO of RaizUp, a non-profit organization and consultancy that aims to scale diverse teams globally in the travel and hospitality industry through recruitment. She is also a business expansion consultant for the travel and tech industry,certified Intercultural Trainer, facilitating...

Dr. Renée Nicole Wagner completed her broad education at the MODUL hotel and tourism school in Vienna and her studies at the University of Vienna with a doctorate in political science. Various postgraduate studies on the topic of "Economics and sustainability in tourism" as well as...

Samuel Walter is the CEO and Head of Digital at Heads On Pillows, the hospitality growth agency within the Artemis Digital Group. He leads the group’s vision for how brands evolve, compete, and grow in an increasingly digital-first and AI-driven world. At the intersection of brand...

Susanne Williams is Managing Director of The Lakes by Yoo Hotel where she leads the operational and commercial performance, working closely with the founders to shape its next phase of growth whilst transforming the guest experience. She has spent over 30 years in luxury and boutique...

Sara Young is the founder of Spa Well, a community and events platform supporting the next generation of spa leaders through practical education, real-world financial training, and industrycollaboration. With a degree in Business Management and Finance, Sara began her career as Commercial Manager...

Marc Laros is the Chief Technology Officer at The Usual, a forward-thinking hospitality brand reimagining how technology and guest experience intersect. With a background spanning both hospitality operations and digital innovation, Marc brings a unique blend of hands-on industry insight and...

With over 25 years of hotel operations, development and hospitality experience with international companies and global brands spanning London Portugal and Dubai, Karim took the decision to become an Independent Hotel owner.  Settling on Horwood House in 2019 , previously part of a group and sadly...

As General Manager of the Meliá White House in London, I lead one of the city’s most iconic hotels, a property of substantial scale with a diverse international clientele. With extensive experience operating high-performing, city-centre hotels, I specialise in elevating guest experience, driving...

Oliver Milne-Watson brings nearly 20 years of hospitality experience since beginning his career at The Goring and The Royal Garden Hotel. Honing his skills across London’s luxury hotels, Oliver then moved to, and opened, The Beaumont where he worked his way up through various senior roles. Since...

Kirsten leads the global Peole and Culture function for Corinthia Hotels, working as a member of the Executive Leadership Team to drive strategic inititaitives that support Corinthia's mission to create inspiring destinations and deliver exceptional guest experiences. Her role is crucial to...

A highly experienced hospitality executive, speciliasing in independent boutique hotel sector. 

Molly is the founder of Curated, the world’s first booking platform powered by tastemakers. What began as the CuratedSpaces podcast - sharing the stories behind Britain’s most beautiful boutique places to stay - quickly evolved into a community of curious travellers. As more and more listeners...

As the General Manager of the UK Spa Association since 2024 Bobby has lead the strategy and growth initiative for the Association. With over 30 years of industry experience in 5 star hospitality management Bobby has extensive hospitality experience having opened and managed spas across...

Eloise is a respected thought leader within hospitality. A trained multimedia journalist and expert conference, awards, webinar and podcast host. She writes breaking news and commentary for Boutique Hotel News and Serviced Apartment News, and contributes to each publication's weekly...

Nicholas has a wealth of experience in corporate banking spanning over 26 years and has specialised in the Hospitality & Leisure sector since 2005. He has covered all specialisms within the industry from hotels, pubs and restaurants to gyms and alternative leisure concepts. He currently heads...

Angela Montebello is a sustainability professional with over 14 years of experience delivering ESG strategy, environmental compliance, and sustainable transformation across hospitality, cosmetics, and healthcare. As Sustainability Manager at The Hari London, she leads the hotel’s ESG...

Commercial Director - The Belfry Hotel & Resort  

Jannes started his hospitality journey as a concierge, working his way up with roles at the world’s most prestigious five-star hotels, including the Kempinski Hotel Adlon in Berlin, the Four Seasons George V in Paris, the Ritz Carlton Hotel Arts in Barcelona, and The Plaza Hotel in New York...

Tej Walia FIH MI is the Managing Director of The Foxhills Collection, overseeing more than 300 staff across Foxhills Club & Resort, an award-winning country club and hotel, and Farleigh Golf Club, both in Surrey.With a hospitality career that spans more than 30 years across India and the...

Sam is Marketing Director at 80 DAYS, a full service creative and digital marketing agency specialising in hospitality and working with some of the world’s most respected hotel and travel brands. A self-confessed, enthusiastic hotel marketing geek, Sam enjoys sharing insights and knowledge from 80...

Tracy Wilkins is a dynamic and results-driven Director of Sales & Marketing with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and brand awareness in the hospitality industry. With over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing roles, Tracy has a deep understanding of the ever-evolving...

Molly Peel is the Assistant Marketing Director at Red Carnation Hotels, where she plays a key role in shaping the brand’s creative direction and driving strategic marketing initiatives across the luxury hotel collection. With a sharp eye for storytelling and a passion for hospitality, Molly leads...

An accomplished digital marketing & web strategist with over 15 years of experience in supporting purpose-driven organizations, Anne is committed to strengthening businesses by establishing robust digital platforms and high-performing, growth-focused marketing strategies, while cultivating...

Alex Matulina is the ESG Manager for PPHE Hotel Group, where he leads the company’s sustainability strategy across its European hospitality and real estate portfolio. His expertise lies in ESG reporting, decarbonisation, and more broadly sustainability practices in the hospitality sector. Since...

James has been General Manager of Champneys Eastwell Manor Hotel and Spa since 2020, leading the team out of the pandemic and through a strategic re-positioning of the property. His 25 year career in hospitality includes work across multiple continents leading teams of up to 300 deliver...

Shawn launched social enterprise Clean the World in 2009 to tackle global waste and hygiene inequality by collecting leftover soap and plastic amenities from over 8,300 hotels, transforming them into a sustainable impact solution. In 2012, Shawn expanded the mission with CTW Events, offering...

Sue has had a long career in luxury hospitality, and until recently was General Manager at Whatley Manor Hotel, in the Cotswolds. Her management roles have included Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, Gidleigh Park and Cliveden House Hotel. Alongside being an operational GM, Sue has always been fully...

Simon ThomasHead Concierge, The Lanesborough Simon Thomas, Head Concierge at The Lanesborough, has built a career that places him among the most recognised concierges in the world. He is currently Vice President of the Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, and...

Michael C. Cohen is the Managing Partner at Growth Advisors International Network (GAIN) and a distinguished keynote speaker with 25+ years serving the hospitality and travel industry. Widely recognized for commercial innovation and digital leadership, Michael advises global hotel brands, travel...

Filipe Avillez is General Manager at TRIBE London Canary Wharf, the flagship of the forward-thinking TRIBE hotel concept. With over 20 years of experience across hotels, serviced apartments, co-living and property openings, Filipe brings a rich and varied hospitality background. Passionate about...

With a wealth of experience in hospitality, health, and fitness, Douglas has a proven track record of transforming multi-site operations, increasing financial performance, and leading high-performing teams. As COO at Hand Picked Hotels, and with a background working with renowned brands such as...

Davina Zydower-Cisier is a seasoned hotel development leader with over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry. A graduate of the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, she currently serves as Senior Vice President of Development Europe at Ennismore, following its merger with Accor in 2021. Davina ...

Jude Bolger has been involved in the hospitality industry for over 20 years and has held roles in an operational, consulting and development context. In Europe, Jude gained his consulting experience with TRI Hospitality Consulting (CBRE) in London where he worked on a large variety of hospitality...

Katrine Goldstein | CEO & Partner, Norm Architects Katrine Goldstein is the CEO and Partner of Norm Architects, the Copenhagen-based architecture and design studio internationally recognized for its human-centric approach and philosophy of soft minimalism. In her role, she leads the...

Jessica Gillingham is the founder and CEO of Abode Worldwide, a globally recognized strategic public relations firm that sits at the heart of the developing intersection of real estate and hospitality. The firm partners with tech brands that are shaping the future of hospitality and modern...

Caroline Gregory is Director of The Lovat, Loch Ness - a characterful 29-bedroom Victorian eco-hotel perched at the southern tip of Loch Ness in Fort Augustus. Since joining the family business in 2005, she’s transformed the property into a beloved Highland destination that feels equal parts cozy...

Born and raised in Hampshire, Madison began working at the age of 12 in exchange for private horse riding lessons, an early lesson that hard work is key to achieving your goals. Madison’s career in hospitality has been built from the ground up, spanning a variety of departments and roles including...

I'm Jeremy Slater, an accidental hospitality COO and sustainability advocate, very much learning on the job - trying to do a lot with very little. I lead operations, customer service and HR for tech-enabled, people-powered Bob W. The Best of Both Worlds aparthotel brand, offering the hosted...

With 10 years of experience in the hospitality and travel industries, Anna is the Head of Marketing at luxury hotel Grantley Hall. Specialising in brand positioning, storytelling and strategic marketing, her passions are crafting compelling brand narratives and executing innovative campaigns, with...