Meet the judges
Andrew Henning
General Manager, Grosvenor House Suites
Andrew Henning joined Grosvenor House Suites as General Manager in April 2021. Andrew took over at a crucial point in Grosvenor House Suites’ history, transitioning the property from management under Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts to Highgate. During his expansive career, Andrew has worked through Food and Beverage operations and hotel openings in private and corporate hotels and resorts globally, from the U.S.A. to Ghana, Jordan, and Dubai. Before joining Grosvenor House Suites, Andrew spent 14 years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where he held numerous General Manager positions. Andrew now assumes further responsibility as Managing Director for London for Highgate.
Ali Powell
CEO & Founder, Commercial Acceleration Ltd
Ali is an independent growth expert who helps businesses maximise profits and create value. Ali has worked in several world-leading brands including IHG; Hilton; Whitbread and Fitness First, in senior and C-level in plc and private equity. She is a commercial expert with 25 years expertise in marketing, sales and brand. She is also a multi-award winner, most recently receiving the Best Hospitality Rebranding Partner award.
Sue Williams MI FIH
General Manager, Whatley Manor
Whatley Manor’s Sustainability Journey began 2019, prompted by the owner’s belief that the business had a responsibility to reduce its negative impact on the environment. Sue, with no previous experience in the field committed to researching the topic and educating herself as much as possible, quickly partnering with accreditation partners, Earcheck.org and studying a Cambridge course on, “Businesses transitioning to Net Zero Emissions”. In 2021 they were awarded Sustainable Business Catey and were the first country house hotel to achieve Silver accreditation with Earthcheck in 2022. Alongside being an operational GM, Sue is fully engaged in the wider hospitality sector and is a well known voice on the subject of sustainability, helping other hoteliers where possible to grow their knowledge of this complex subject.
Emma Whitlock
Sustainable Hospitality and Leisure Awards Manager, Keep Britain Tidy
Emma currently manages the Green Key eco-label for hospitality establishments in England - internationally run by the Foundation for Environmental Education, and in England managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. Emma has a passion for sustainability and the natural world, enhanced by her varied roles since joining Keep Britain Tidy 8 years ago and her BSc in Sustainable Development, and is enjoying applying these principles within the hospitality sector and seeing businesses and individuals become as passionate about protecting our planet.
Danny Pecorelli
Managing Director, Exclusive Collection
Managing Director of the Exclusive Collection founded in 1981, a family-run independent group of 7 country house properties, two spas, golf club, cookery school, inn and award winning restaurants.
Danny is actively involved in the wider hospitality industry, he was voted Hotelier of the Year in 2014 by the Caterer and previously Chairman of the Master Innholders. Danny has a passion for developing the talent of the future. Such passion has also resulted in the launch of its Exclusive Chefs’ Academy, Graduate Manager’s programme, Food and Beverage Academy, and strong learning paths in all areas.
Innovation and sustainability are at the core of Danny’s philosophy as demonstrated by the opening of the spa at South Lodge with its biomass boilers, wild swimming and Botanica an innovative restaurant catering for vegetarians, flexitarians and freefrom all sourced locally and sustainably. Hillfield and The Wellhouse restaurants both sourcing hyperlocally their food and drinks from the surrounding areas, as well as planting their own vineyard at South Lodge. Exclusive Collection have recently become the first hotel group in the UK to become an accredited B Corp leading the way in sustainability for the hospitality sector. Exclusive is pushing hard to grow its own with 5.2 Hectares of vineyard planted, acres of orchards and some hugely productive kitchen gardens.
Exclusive now employs over 800 people, has an annual turnover of £65m and has secured the coveted title of being one of the ‘Best Places to Work in Hospitality’, with Acorn award winners, St Julian Scholars, MasterChef and Great British Menu winners, and just a great team of talented people.
Kalindi Juneja
CEO, Pride of Britain Hotels
Kalindi Juneja is CEO at PoB Hotels, the UK marketing consortium for British independent luxury hotels. Since taking on the reigns at PoB Hotels, Kalindi has strategically repositioned the brand with a new visual and verbal expression, including a new website, online magazine, gift range and annual coffee table book. This new direction builds on PoB Hotels' growing appeal to a wider, affluent audience strategically targeted by the brand, whilst underpinning its core values and equity of 40 years.
A passionate hotelier with over 20 years in the industry, Kalindi has worked with some of the most renowned privately owned hotels globally including instrumental roles at Relais & Chateaux. She understands the luxury independent hotel sector and has a strong commercial focus, having worked on property, within an agency and also for luxury consortiums, she brings a unique blend of expertise to the role.
Kalindi has a degree in Hospitality Management and a qualification in Professional Marketing from The Chartered Institute of Marketing. She is enthusiastic about inspiring the next generation of hoteliers and is involved in a number of industry initiatives. Kalindi is a member of the Southeast Committee for UK Hospitality, an ambassador for Hospitality Action, a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, a judge for the MIALD and an ambassador for the Independent Hotel Show.
Steve Lowy
CEO, Anglo Educational Services
Steve has been connected to the hospitality sector his whole working career. Steve is very passionate about the sector and has run restaurants, hostels, hotels, serviced apartments, student accommodation, and a digital agency specialising in travel & hospitality.
His current focus is as CEO of Anglo Educational Services and The Residence Apartments. AES is a full-service study abroad operator offering a suite of academic services alongside over 250 student apartments in Central London. The award-winning Residence Apartments are a collection of 75 luxury serviced apartments in London.
Steve is also Chairman of BETA, on the Tourism Alliance board, Trustee of the Savoy Educational Trust, and Chairman of ASAP.
Nicola Cook
Head of Marketing, Rudding Park
I am a marketing professional specialising in the hospitality industry. Having undertaken a PR & Marketing degree, I spent 16 years in London marketing a variety of including hotels, restaurants and private members clubs (highlights included working for Sir Terence Conran and Michelin- starred chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli). However, I always wanted to return to my Yorkshire roots and I have been in my ‘dream role’ at Rudding Park in Harrogate for eleven years. With a range of experience across all elements of the marketing mix and winner of Best Integrated Marketing Campaign by the Hotel Marketing Association 2018, I am very focused and passionate about devising and implementing creative campaigns that get results. When not at work, I may be found cycling (fair weather), dancing (any weather) spa-ing or golfing (all in the interests of product familiarisation!)
Nicola Trew
Director, Vroom
With a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry Nicola has worked across a range of hotels from large corporate chains to small independently owned boutique hotels. From 5 star Golf & Spa resorts to city centre budget hotels.
Unlike the traditional Revenue Manager, she is creative and thinks ‘outside of the box’. Nicola focuses on working with the Hotel teams to think more on a global basis, looking for revenue opportunities, on a continual basis, for all departments.
Janel Clark
Programme Director, HOSPA Professional Development
An accomplished Educator who is passionate about the importance of Learning and Development and its commercial impact on people and profits
Following several years working in Revenue Management, Janel has used her extensive practical knowledge to create, develop and deliver numerous training courses, working with some of the world’s leading educational establishments. She has experience across the full spectrum of hotels, from 5-star chain properties to independent boutique hotels, and has helped them embed, achieve and exceed best practice.
A passionate industry expert, and a qualified educator, Janel is involved in creating programmes for both industry and hospitality schools, which introduce improved ways for hotels to make commercial decisions.
Janel believes that one day, Revenue Managers will rule the world!
Andrew Evers
Group Director of IT, Rocco Forte
I began working in tech in 1997 and then in 2008, my tech path crossed with the high-intensity, pressured and prestigious world of hospitality, when my employer took a contact for a London hotel chain. Since then, I moved on and spent the best part of ten years with Red Carnation. In 2014, we fully refurbished the world famous Ashford Castle, transforming it into one of Europe's most beloved resort hotels. Today, I enjoy the role of Group Director of IT for Rocco Forte -famed for luxury boutique leisure hotels across Europe. I've been very lucky in my life to work in the tech space for some of the best loved hotels in the world. The challenge keeps ratcheting up with fierce competition and a confused marketplace. In the years following the covid crisis, and following a decade of perceived tech underinvestment, the entire industry is now host to one of the most aggressive re-teaching programmes of any global industry. Now's the time to own the recovery and wield the change!
Angela Duffy
Head of Finance, Head of Finance Operations and Shared Services, Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland
A Chartered global management accountant, Angela has over 15 years’ experience within the Hospitality business. Angela’s key skills are finance and accounting management, financial modeling, development and transitional services. Key highlights within Angela’s career have been development of others, the expansion of the brand, surviving the pandemic and the amazing team she works with. Angela regularly volunteers within the community and most recently opened her doors to a Ukrainian family during the ongoing crisis. Angela sees success in others and winning when everyone achieves the goal.
David Nicolson
Vice President Finance - Europe, Jumeirah Group
David currently works for the Jumeirah Group as Vice President of Finance in Europe. He looks after six hotels including three in London, one in Frankfurt , one in Mallorca and another one in Istanbul.
He also oversees the administration of Jumeirah's Global Sales Offices in Europe.
Harry Fielder
Director, UMI Digital
Harry Fielder is Managing Director of the hotel marketing agency, Umi Digital. Since beginning his hospitality journey as an intern at university, Harry has worked with hundreds of hotels to empower the direct booking channel through excellent marketing and technology. Harry is both a marketer and developer in equal measure and now bridges the gap between commercial requirements and technical implementation of new products and systems.
Harry currently lectures at Bayswater College on Digital Strategy and his thesis from 2014 on the impact of social enterprise on hospitality brands is still being used today in real business cases in the UK. Harry is a regular speaker at hospitality events throughout the year, from the IHS Innovation Stage to workshops at the National Hotel Marketing Conference.
Bob Silk
Relationship Director Hospitality & Leisure, Barclays
In 2022 The HOSPA Board ratified the appointment of the Association’s Deputy Chairman Bob Silk as the new Chairman of the Hospitality Professionals Association Bob Silk is a relationship director at Barclays Bank for clients in the hospitality sector.
He is a specialist in funding multi-site hotel, restaurant & pub businesses; mergers, acquisitions & new site development, via bilateral and multi-bank lines of credit, including extensive experience with Venture Capital backed businesses.
William Gibbs
Hotels Director, SRSL
A passionate hotelier with a focus on asset management who believes that the key to delivering amazing guest experience is through constant team development.
Currently Hotel Director with Sir Richard Sutton with ownership/asset management oversight of the Sheraton Grand and the Athenaeum. Launched Sutton Hotel Collection in April 2022 with three iconic hotels with the vision to reignite these historic hotels.
William studied at Shannon College of Hotel Management and University College Galway, before qualifying as an accountant. He started his career at Forte Hotels and worked his way through finance roles in many leading hospitality organisations, including, Le Meridien, Dorchester Hotel, and Stein Hotels. He joined Hamilton Hotel Partners to focus on asset management before moving to private equity with Westmont Hospitality.
William works closely with colleges in terms of promoting hospitality as a career, as well as charities such as Only a Pavement Away and Hospitality Action.
Sarah Duncan
Founder, Sleeping Lion
Sarah Duncan is Co-founder and Director of Expert Advice / Sleeping Lion – a certified BCorp. Her background is in leisure and hospitality, and she now specialises in Sustainability (or ESG), having written two books on the subject: The Sustainable Business Book (2023) and The Ethical Business Book (2019).
She advises on how to make sustainability a genuine part of your business culture and day-to-day practice, not just a tick-box exercise (or race to be the ‘least bad’).
Alex Sors
Course Tutor, HOSPA Professional Development
Alex has worked in the hotel industry all his life and has over 35 years of hands-on experience. Practical knowledge of hotel operations as well as corporate environments within prestigious international companies and a wide range of investors define the balanced approach he has to business challenges we are facing today.
Having worked his way up through the ranks in hotels in Europe and Asia, followed by regional roles leading up to Vice President of Finance, Alex has in depth knowledge and practical experience that is invaluable for any hotel owner or investor.
Since 2006 Alex is an independent consultant assisting Owners, Investors and Hotel Companies in maximising the opportunities of hotel projects all over the world. He has worked with all major brands as well as a wide range of investors, private equity firms and developers. The consultancy focusses on asset management, development support, project management and ad-hoc financial control.
Next to on-line tutoring for HOSPA, Alex has been a guest lecturer at institutions such as Glion, EHL and ESSEC.
Alex is based in London but works world-wide.
Derek Lister
Group Financial Controller, Valor Hospitality
I have been in hotels for nearly 30 years, starting out as a casual banqueting waiter at Hilton East Midlands Airport. First full time role was as Night Manager at the Thistle East Midlands Airport. After a couple of years took on a finance assistant role and worked my way to FC then Area FC.
After 10 years at Thistle left to go to IHG again as Area FC. Was with IHG for a number of years. After IHG, I became Director of Finance at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. Great hotel to be part of with a £40 million turnover. From Hilton came to Valor as Group FC looking after 17 hotels initially but now up to 35.
Hannah Scarbrough
Head of Marketing and Business Development, Audit and Assurance, BDO
Hannah is the Head of Marketing and Business Development for BDO LLP’s Audit and Assurance practice where she is responsible for the national marketing and communications strategy. BDO LLP is a leading accountant and advisor to the hospitality sector and Hannah spent a number of years in BDO’s Leisure and Hospitality team, working with a range of well-known hotel brands and industry suppliers.
Adrienne Hanna
CEO, Right Revenue
Adrienne is the Founder & CEO of Right Revenue and an all-round revenue nerd! With a lifetime career in travel and hospitality, Adrienne has spent the last 20+ years in the amazing world of revenue management.
With a background in Revenue Management consultancy, Adrienne saw a problem in an industry she was passionate about, hence Right Revenue was born. Designing and developing a revenue software solution that takes the myth out of Revenue Management, Right Revenue’s goal is to partner with independent hotels providing a software solution that gives great rate recommendations, accurate forecasting and bespoke reporting – all with the goal of not only adding profitability to the bottom line but also supporting a revenue culture through your whole business.
Fergus Boyd
CTO, IP Dividual
Dr Fergus Boyd, CTO, IP Dividual.com. In top 100 of the “CIO 100” awards three times. IT and Digital Director/VP and consultant for blue chip and innovative brands including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Yotel Hotels, Red Carnation Hotels, Village Hotels and Soho House Membership Group. Achieved numerous awards in IT, website design, digital marketing and mobile app for several of these brands. Also, a trustee / NED / investor of several charities and start-up companies such as The Royal Institution (oldest UK science charity) and Linnean Society (biological diversity charity). Fellow of HOSPA and Council Member of HFTP (Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals). I now run my own hospitality consultancy specialising in digital transformation, business strategy and technology stack reviews.
David Pryde
Head of IT, Strand Palace hotel
David has worked for over 30 years within the Hospitality industry both internationally and within the UK, of which almost 25 years within the Hospitality IT Sector.
His experience has encompassed most of the industry, from large international hotel groups such as IHG, management companies such as Bespoke Hotels through to luxury boutique hotels such as Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Now the Head of IT at the 785 room Strand Palace hotel, David says it is the industry’s vitality and desire to keep changing and trying to exceed its guest’s expectations that keep him excited. It is this constant change that sets the challenge for the IT Community to seek greater engagement between the Business and IT, and to share “best practice and innovation” throughout the industry as a key driver for his tenure as Chair of the HOSPA IT Committee.
