Operators Episodes

What better time to start a business than in a pandemic right? Well, todays guest has started not one, but two wonderful enterprises. As Phil puts it early on "You're clearly a glutton for punishment". We got some time with the wonderful human being that is Ed Walker, Founder of Fika Catering (https://fikacatering.com) and Bloom Coffee (https://bloom-coffee.org), two wonderfully and mutually beneficial enterprises. We get through loads including starting businesses in a pandemic, change please...

What I love about chatting to such a variety of people from Hospitality is one, exactly that, the variety of stories is incredible but two, sometimes I get to stumble on such a wonderful human story that it makes me feel incredibly lucky. Enter, Peter Avis the General Manager at the quite wonderful Galvin at Windows on London's Park Lane (https://galvinrestaurants.com/restaurant/galvin-at-windows-mayfair). Peter talks as openly on his struggles as he does on his successes and as a result, it's...

What a corker we've got for you this week. We got time (somehow) with the incredibly busy and rather awe inspiring Chef & Restaurant Magazine (https://chefpublishing.com/) Editor, Claire Bosi. Claire is also the driving force behind the wonderful and necessary #seatatthetable campaign to try and ensure we have a minister for hospitality going forward (https://www.seatatthetable.org.uk/). This is action packed from the word go covering off nuggets such as Boris’s roadmap, creating the best publ...

In honour of the fact that next week is International Women's Day we got some time with awe inspiring woman that is Natalia Ribbe, Founder of Ladies of Restaurants (https://www.ladiesofrestaurants.com) and Barletta in Margate (https://barletta.co.uk). It's an all action chat and we get through lockdown baking habits, dinner parties, wine pairings, The performance that is service, Staring at Leonardo Di Caprio, early misadventures, dealing with bullying, How small the world is, going freelance, ...

Today's guest is one of the inspirations as to why I started the show. We welcome Scott MacDonald, Managing Director of Artisan Food Champions Sourced Market (https://sourcedmarket.com). Today's chat packed full of content including being nice, being the inspiration for others, Leading through kindness, being the only male in a house, talking to hamsters, creating food experiences in Selfridges, the world's most expensive sandwich, inspiring leaders, being in the green room on This Morning, va...

What an absolute treat we have for you this week (I know, they're all treats really). We welcomed Marc Dardenne on the show, COO of Luxury Brands in Europe for Hotel heavy weights, Accor (https://all.accor.com). This chat is packed full of stories and amazing insight from one the world's premier Hoteliers. We cover off learning from adversity, The beauty of Switzerland, The adventure of hospitality, open air lobbies, travel, Bali, the value of processes, culture, respect, practical v theory, f...

Some people are born to be in Hospitality, todays guest is certainly one such person. We got some time with the always upbeat Andrew D Scott, Managing Director of Victus Catering Consultancy (https://www.victusconsultancy.co.uk), business owner, author, public speaker and now voice over artist for Sky. We talk about so much including Scottish Accent, starting business, stovies, becoming a GM at age 22, staying humble, lecturing, hedging your bets in business, having an epiphany, being committe...

Happy 50th to us! We couldn't let our 50th episode pass without doing something a little different so to celebrate we've got an extra special guest.... Me! Otherwise known as the Co-Founder and Director of Momentum Hospitality Recruitment Ltd and the Founder and host (Normally) of this podcast. But don't worry, you don't have to listen to me interviewing myself. I enlisted 2 wonderful ex guests, from episode 4, Robert Richardson and from episode 7, Katherine Price. We get through loads includ...

We once again head across the land and seas to welcome this weeks guest. We were delighted to welcome the charismatic Robert Hauck, Managing Director of The Langham in Shanghai. Throughout our chat Robert demonstrates amazing leadership and it's clear he is a guy you could do with in a crisis. We chat about so much which includes dealing with crisis, apprenticeship, travel, keeping fit, mind body and soul, staying positive, enlisting the help of a Feng Shui master, concentrating on your streng...

You may recall that one of the objectives of the podcast was to tell the stories of a wide variety of roles throughout the industry. Well, today we have another guest who ticks that box but not only that brings a story forward of real depth and power. I was delighted to get some time with Mitchell Collier, Reception Manager for the Newly Opened Mayfair Townhouse in London (www.themayfairtownhouse.com). Mitch has a superbly rich story with so many elements. We chat about the Mayfair Townhouse, S...

I'm a lucky guy. On the show I get to speak to some amazing people from some amazing places. I'm a massive fan of today's guest and the property he occupies. I got some time with Jannes Soerensen, General Manager of The Beaumont Hotel (www.thebeaumont.com), a stunning 5 star boutique property in Londons Mayfair. My word we get through a lot including health, tech development, apprenticeships, concierge, shoulder massages, learning languages, career full circles, golden keys, The Orange Vesper,...

This week we move back to hotels in big brand, big hotels and a big role. We got some time with Daniel Pedreschi, Regional Vice President Operations UK for PPHE Hotel Group (www.pphe.com). As always, we get through a lot including early career job titles, big bundles of keys, career catch 22’s, pigeons, refurbs, C&B, choosing your boss, events, awards, busy years, Master Inn Holders, snakes & of course Daniel's excellent career journey so far. Daniel talks us through his story with such en...

What does it take to become one of a regions most prominent General Managers? We chatted to Mark Kirby, Regional General Manager of The Address Downtown, Dubai (www.addresshotels.com/en/hotels/address-downtown/) to find that out. We got through so much including Dubai (Of course), Chesterfield, School, AICR, London, Harvey Nicholls, reciting your career backwards at interview, Meeting Mr Armani, The Armani Hotel, Translating your CV into Italian, creating the right noises, Sustainability, PR,...

Hospitality never stands still, there's always something new on the horizon. This week, we've got an amazing chat with the Opening General Manager Anne Golden who has the not insignificant task of leading one of the most exciting projects on the horizon in Europe, the Pan Pacific London (https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-london.html) In addition to Anne's amazing journey, we chat about Lockdown fatigue, learning from mistakes, emotional intelligence, training & development, che...

One of the things we love about Hospitality more than anything else is the international element to it and there's no better career if you want to see the world. Niels Sherry is a shining example of that with a career that has taken him to the USA, Middle East and Asia as well as establishing himself in Europe. Now the COO for the expanding private members club 67 Pall Mall (www.67pallmall.com). We chat about lots including gaining variety in your career, the Savoy, leaps of faith, opening...

Hospitality covers a multitude of things. The rise and rise of co-working fits firmly within that scope. We were lucky enough to get some time with Ben Swindells, Expansion Director for Huckletree (www.huckletree.com) a London based workspace accelerator with locations in London, Manchester and Dublin. Ben is an ex hotelier and now workspace specialist and is responsible for the growth and new projects for Huckletree. In 2019 Ben led the group to double growth in terms of footprint and member...

One of the objectives of our humble little podcast was to give a voice to as wide a variety of people as possible from within hospitality so I was delighted to get some time with Rachael Stevens, Guest Services Manager at South Lodge Hotel (https://www.exclusive.co.uk/south-lodge). Rachael is clearly on her way up to do great things. We talk about serving celebrities, mentors, leadership, poise under pressure, guest services post lockdown, Raymond Blanc and so much more. Enjoy! This chat was ...

In early July 2020 (when we were once again allowed to go meet people) we were lucky enough to get some socially distanced time with Chris Penn, Co-Founder of Steel Hotels (www.steelhotels.com) & Birch (www.birchcommunity.com), a few weeks before the doors were opened at Birch for the first time. This chat is crammed full of good stuff as we took full advantage of Chris' natural humour, drive and humility covering off his epic journey to this point as well as topics such as battles, travellin...

Back in May 2020, in the middle of Lock down, we were lucky enough to get some time with David McDowall, Group COO of BrewDog (www.brewdog.com). David talks us through his career and journey so far along with some of the great work that BrewDog have been up to. We also find time to chat about Beer & Dogs (Obviously), Scottish Accents, Lobbying, Leadership Away days, swimming with Orca whales and being anti-disciplinary. David's Bio David is Group COO at BrewDog, driving the strategic directio...

There's nothing quite like having a chat with colourful characters. Kieron "AKA the Boy" Bailey is one such character. Co-founder of Experience 101 (www.experience101.co.uk) he's got bags of personality and is something of a Hospitality Champion. Kieron's story is told against a back drop of variety and we cover off so much including, living on an island, compilation cassettes, Leadership, Recruitment, Panorama, dealing with drunks, personal growth, monkeys and so much more. Enjoy Recor...

The week of 22nd June 2020 will go down in history (In the UK at least) as the week where the government announced that hospitality could reopen on 4th July. This put us all in a good mood and so we decided to give you another bonus episode. Cue Elsa De Jager, founder of HospoBox (@hospobox on Instagram) We have a great chat about Vegan Mayonnaise, Winging it, the influence of Danny Meyer, Adversity and Positivity. We also talk through her story and her wonderful idea HospoBox. Tu...

Back in February 2020, we were lucky enough to meet Hospitality Royalty, David Cowdery, CEO of the Cavalry & Guards Club (https://www.cavgdsclub.co.uk/) in Mayfair, London. We chat through his story and career journey. Amongst other things we talk about Snobbery, Tech, Recruitment, Looking after Celebs, Selfies and loads more. David has some hilarious stories, be sure to tune in. This was recorded on 18th February 2020 at the majestic Cavalry & Guards Club This podcast uses the following thi...

Pre-lockdown, we chatted to Adam Rowledge, prolific public speaker and Managing Director of Rowledge Associates (https://rowledgeassociates.co.uk) In this episode, we talk about Adams journey as well as covering such important topics such as eggs, credit control, Nokia phones, socks and the things you see whilst being a Night Manager. Adam was a class act and is a shining light in the world of leadership discussion. This Podcast was recorded in person on 27th February 2020, before lock down c...

Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street is a new podcast for the hospitality industry. Join Phil each week as he hosts a new guest in a light-hearted talk about their journey and story to date. This week we chat to Robert Richardson the General Manager of the Historic Grand Hotel in Folkestone. Robert has one hell of a list of achievements and is definitely doing what he was born to do. The podcast was recorded on 26th February 2020, before lock down measures were put in place. This podc...