Special Interest Episodes

Six years ago, Robert Richardson joined me on Hospitality Meets for the very first time. Back then, he was a hotel General Manager with a passion for people, wondering what the next chapter might look like. Neither of us could have predicted what came next. Fast forward six years, and Robert returns to the show as CEO of the Institute of Hospitality, leading a global professional body with more than 17,000 members, overseeing record membership growth, driving the Institute's Charter ambition,...

This week, I sat down with Gareth Rees, and this is one of those conversations that feels properly important. Not just for hospitality… but for how we think about people, performance, and what “doing a good job” actually means Gareth now runs ADHospitalityD, with a mission to educate the industry on neurodiversity, breaking down misconceptions, supporting individuals, and helping businesses create environments where people can genuinely thrive. But his story starts where many of ours do… On ...

Show your support for Hospitality Sector Letter to the Chancellor What happens when two people who love a bit of unstructured behaviour get together for a structured conversation? The answer? Lots of unstructured conversation This week I sat down with Conrad Brunton, founder of Tonic Talent, passionate hospitality advocate, charity champion, networking powerhouse… and a man who clearly believes that if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it properly. Before we get into his jour...

Why Understanding Drives Performance This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil is joined by Will Fraser, co-founder of Pineapple, founder of 100 & First, and former professional rugby player. What begins as a conversation about people data quickly becomes something deeper, a clear eyed look at why teams struggle, why talent alone isn’t enough, and why most performance problems come down to misunderstanding, not ability. This is a calm, thoughtful episode about clarity, context, and why better conve...

Prepare. To. Be. Happy. Returning to Hospitality Meets, Klaudia Mitura - work psychologist, L&D leader at the Science Museum Group, host of The Happiness Challenge podcast, author of The Alphabet of Happiness, and an actual Certified Chief Happiness Officer (yes, really) delivers one of the most uplifting, honest, and quietly powerful conversations we’ve ever recorded. This episode is not about toxic positivity, pretending everything’s fine, or slapping a smile on life’s messier moments. It’s...

This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil sits down with Dulcie Swanston, bestselling author, executive coach, leadership trainer, neuroscience and psychology “magpie,” and one of the clearest thinkers you’ll ever meet in hospitality. Dulcie’s career spans 23 years at Bass PLC / Mitchells & Butlers, senior HR leadership, graduate programme design, global executive coaching, and now running multiple businesses that all share one simple mission: Make complicated things simple, and usable now! From ac...

This week, we’re talking about something every hospitality person knows all too well: pain. Back pain. Neck pain. Shoulder pain. “I’ve been on my feet for 14 hours” pain. But what if… most of it isn’t actually coming from your body? Enter Gemma McFall (Gemma McFall – Pain Reprocessing Therapist)— Chronic Pain Recovery Coach, former hotel HR leader, Disney alum, and the only person whose first hospitality shift involved covering herself in six bowls of soup. A true industry baptism. 😂 Gemma l...

This week, I sat down with Jacu Strauss, Architect, Designer and Creative Director of Lore Group - the team behind iconic hotels like Sea Containers London, Pulitzer Amsterdam, Riggs Washington DC, Lyle, and 100 Shoreditch. Jacu’s journey is extraordinary From growing up in the Kalahari Desert, dreaming up imaginary worlds, teaching himself to draw and paint, and spending Christmases in his grandfather’s 20 room desert hotel… to studying architecture at the Bartlett, landing a role with Tom Di...

This week, I sat down with Dan Barnes, Managing Director of Flourish Hospitality, a learning and development consultancy built on one simple idea: that every moment in hospitality is a chance to help someone grow. Dan’s story is one of those brilliant hospitality journeys that started with polishing cutlery and pretending to be a grown-up in a suit and somehow led to building learning cultures across hotels, restaurants and private members’ clubs. From Marriott to Edwardian Hotels, Caprice Hol...

This week, I sat down in The Den at The Other House, South Kensington, with the wonderful Jo Morgan, owner of Meliora Consultancy Services, coach, advisor to Tech on Toast and all round powerhouse of positivity. Jo’s journey is one of those you could never script. From becoming the youngest female GM in her company at 27, to running seven floating hotels for TUI Cruises, to heading up operations for The Other House and launching her own consultancy, Meliora (“the pursuit of the better”) her car...

Episode Summary In this very special episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the incredible Maya Gilbert, hospitality lifer, dog lover, and now… coastal legend! Maya recently completed a jaw dropping walk around the entire English coastline, that’s over 2,700 miles, to raise funds and awareness for Hospitality Action. With a £10 a day budget, a dodgy tent, and a heart full of purpose, she set off from Liverpool armed with nothing but determination, humour, and (possibly) too much stuff in...

Episode Summary In this sparkling episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the unstoppable Michelle Moreno, founder of QAB Leadership (Is that really it's name Michelle?) From accidentally elbowing Leonardo DiCaprio to fangirling over Sarah Jessica Parker in the dark, Michelle’s journey through hospitality is as wild, funny, and inspiring as it gets. With a career that’s taken her from London’s hottest openings to Mykonos, India, and Mauritius, Michelle’s story is one of resilience, humo...

Welcome back to Hospitality Meets, where we dive into the stories behind the people who keep the hospitality world buzzing! 🍻 In this episode, Phil sits down with Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association (https://beerandpub.com/) and all-around pub enthusiast. We chat about: 🍺 Why the pub is the heart of every community (and why you should probably visit yours more). 🏛️ Emma’s whirlwind journey from studying law to being elected the youngest UK MEP (via a ch...

Ever wondered how a dishwasher at age 10 ends up running the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts? Well, Lisa Jenkins (CEO of The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts) is here to spill the tea (and maybe a few kitchen secrets). We get through a lot and I chat with Lisa about: 🍽️ Why hospitality careers are more than just chefs & managers (yes, journalists count too!) ✈️ How working too hard at the Singapore Air Show got her a business-class flight home (note: not a recommended career strategy) 💡...

In this entertaining and insightful episode, I joined David Cochrane, the CEO of HIT Scotland (https://hitscotland.co.uk/), who shares his incredible journey through the hospitality industry. From his early days as a chef (with a few kitchen disasters) to leading a transformative organisation, David offers a mix of heartfelt wisdom, career insights, and laugh-out-loud moments. The conversation covers the importance of hospitality education, the camaraderie of the industry, and some unforgettable...

What do really expensive toilet paper, waistcoat etiquette, and Ferraris getting smoked by Teslas all have in common? They’re just some of the unexpected gems from this week’s chat with Jason Simpson, CEO of Raw Charging, an all-around electric vehicle (EV) evangelist and holder of an epic journey. I joined Jason at Raw's London offices for a deep dive into the world of EV charging, hospitality, and the surprisingly dramatic shift from petrolhead to plug-in advocate. Along the way, we bust so...

My goodness have I got a chat and half for you for the weeks special. You are about to receive Mind blowing Learning, Authentic emotion, Unbelievable power and Easy to take action. All that and we fix politics as well Back in November 2023 I had the privilege of appearing on the Thoughts that Rock Podcast, hosted by old friend of the show Jim Knight and today’s guest (And hopefully new friend of the show) Brant Menswar. Brants Journey will absolutely blow your mind. This conversation is a m...

I love coffee. That is all, bye! In all seriousness, I was beyond thrilled to sit down with Will Corby, the coffee connoisseur extraordinaire and Director of Coffee and Social Impact at Pact Coffee. From thrilling tales of gangland encounters to the intricacies of brewing the perfect cup, this episode is as much a caffeine kick as it is a heartfelt chat. Oh, and did we mention it’s full of laughs too? Dive into Will's journey from being a coffee hating mechanical engineer to a coffee afici...

Welcome back, Hospitality Meets fans! In this delightful episode, I sat down with the effervescent Clare Downes, a dynamic executive coach and founder of Martlet.Life and who excels in guiding leaders to their full potential. We go on an engaging journey through Clare's fascinating career path—from her entrepreneurial roots on a farm, into the bustling world of food and drink, and finally to becoming an inspiring executive coach! Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store: The Serendipitous S...

So here's another cheeky bonus for you this week. Having connected properly earlier in the year, Michael and I decided it might be interesting to have a chat about what we'd learned from over 500 conversations with hospitality professionals so todays bonus, is that chat in all its glory done in collaboration with the Michael and his awesome show, Hospitality Mavericks. We dive deep into the heart of adversity, resilience, and the powerful impact of diverse backgrounds in the hospitality indust...

Summary: Join Phil as he welcomes the exceptional Martin Traynor OBE, Chair of the Institute of Hospitality and a prominent figure in hospitality and public service. This episode is rich with light hearted anecdotes and humorous reflections, giving listeners a delightful yet informative glimpse into Martin's illustrious career and unique experiences! Highlights: The Meaning Behind OBE: Martin reveals his wife's humorous take on his prestigious honour Shoe Mishap with the King: A hilarious rec...

In this cheerful and engaging episode of Hospitality Meets, Phil catches up with the delightful Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA (https://www.hospa.org/). Get ready for a conversation filled with laughter, intriguing experiences, and valuable insights into the world of hospitality. Highlights: 1. Career Pathways and Unexpected Turns: Jane takes us through her colourful journey in the hospitality industry, complete with unexpected opportunities and memorable moments. Whether it's working a night sh...

🎙️ About This Episode: Get ready to dive into an episode brimming with laughter, heartfelt stories, and eye-opening revelations! I sat down for a candid chat with Professor Peter Jones MBE, a hospitality industry guru with a heart of gold and a knack for comedic storytelling. 📰 Here’s What You’ll Discover: The Art of Inclusion: Peter shares how inviting employees to explain tasks to new team members—especially those with disabilities—not only boosts team performance but also turns mundane tasks...

Someone once said to me that coffee tastes better when it's doing some good. Well today, we can apply that same mindset to Tea. Summary: In this engaging and insightful episode of "Hospitality Meets," Phil sits down with the inspiring Roshana Gammampila, who shares her incredible journey from a corporate career in London to managing a tea estate in Sri Lanka. This episode is filled with fascinating discussions, enlightening takeaways, and a sprinkle of fun as Roshana dives into the world of tea...