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2026 Programme
09:40 – 10:25 Market Insights

Beyond the Horizon

A sharp, data-driven deep dive into the financial and economic currents shaping the UK hotel industry. The panel will unpack raw macroeconomic data, tying CPI changes and debt finance realities directly to RevPAR, ADR, and disposable guest spend.

Jeavon Lolay
Jeavon LolayLloyds Banking
Dave North
Dave NorthLloyds Banking
10:25 – 11:10 Operations

Frontline Fortitude

Hotel operators are caught in a pincer movement: skyrocketing supply chain and labour costs on one side, guests demanding flawless value on the other. This panel digs into asset management, smart cost-control, and building operational agility across diverse portfolios.

Julie White
Julie WhiteAccor
David Anderson
David AndersonAimbridge EMEA
David Hart
David HartRBH Hospitality
11:30 – 12:15 Leadership

The Modern Anchor

Managing a modern hospitality workforce demands a shift from old-school hierarchy to empathetic, visionary leadership. These industry standard-bearers explore how to inspire loyalty across multi-generational teams, foster open communication, and maintain personal mental resilience.

Christian Masters
Christian Mastersart'otel Hoxton
Caroline Gregory
Caroline GregoryThe Lovat Hotel
Simon Numphud
Simon NumphudAA Media Services
12:15 – 13:00 Events Market

The New Roar of MICE

The MICE sector looks radically different than it did a few years ago. From hyper-personalised retreats to tech-heavy hybrid conventions, this session uncovers what today's corporate planners actually want from a venue — and how to maximise yield per square foot.

Shonali Devereaux
Shonali DevereauxMIA
Varun Shetty
Varun ShettyThe Belfry Resort
14:00 – 14:45 Development

Blueprint for Growth

Despite tight credit markets, the appetite for strategic hotel development remains fierce. Brands and asset managers discuss the shift toward conversions, brand repositioning, and adaptive reuse over ground-up builds.

Tim Davis
Tim DavisPACE Dimensions
Gavin Taylor
Gavin TaylorClermont Hotels
Paul Blackmore
Paul BlackmoreHilton
David JM Orr
David JM OrrResident Hotels
14:45 – 15:30 Technology

Beyond the Buzzwords

AI is already driving revenue and plugging labour gaps. This panel cuts through the jargon to showcase how automated guest messaging, contactless check-ins, and predictive analytics can save thousands of labour hours.

DB
David BeersChoice Hotels
RBH
AI SpecialistRBH Management
CT
Canary PanelistCanary Tech
15:55 – 16:40 People & Culture

People First

Recruitment is tough, but retention is where the real battle is won or lost. Industry leaders share actionable advice on mental health initiatives, flexible working models, and defined career progression pathways.

Mark Lewis
Mark LewisHospitality Action
Suzanne Speak
Suzanne SpeakRadisson Group
16:40 – 17:05 Crisis Management

When the Custard Hits the Fan

In a 24/7 digital world, a single bad incident can escalate into a viral PR nightmare within minutes. A compressed, highly practical session delivering an actionable blueprint for emergency communication and brand protection.

CC
PR Leadership TeamCustard Comm.
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Home > Latest News > Brands > The Cumberland Building Society expands its commercial team
The Cumberland Building Society expands its commercial team

The Cumberland Building Society expands its commercial team

In this episode we speak to Nico Tréguer, co-founder of Roberts and Treguer and The Culpeper Family. Nico spoke about founding the group alongside his longtime friend Gareth, having had a vision for bringing more nature spaces to cities, the planned extension of The Buxton in Spitalfields, and how the site’s storytelling engages guests and the local community, how the Culpeper Family’s core sustainability ethos helped it secure its B-Corp status and why hospitality has a responsibility to educate and innovate when it comes to sustainability.

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The Cumberland Building Society, specialist lenders for hotels, guest houses and other accommodation-led hospitality businesses, has expanded its commercial team with two key hires.

Andy Gibson and Georgie McRoberts have been appointed to the team as commercial relationship managers.

Gibson has more than 30 years’ experience in banking, having completed his banking exams achieving Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers status.

In his new role, Gibson will look after The Cumberland’s customer base in the south-west of England, as well as hotels and guest houses in the north-west of England.

Meanwhile, McRoberts will look after a portfolio of existing connections and deal with brokers and intermediaries to secure new business deals across Cumbria, south-west Scotland, and north-east England.

McRoberts also has more than 15 years’ experience in financial services, having previously worked at the Royal Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank.

The Cumberland has hired 148 colleagues in the past 12 months, expanding its workforce to 685 across the wider business.

On his new appointment, Gibson said: “I’m really pleased to be joining The Cumberland in such an exciting period of growth. I was initially attracted to the role after seeing the passion displayed by the senior team and I’m pleased to see that passion is shared amongst everybody within the business.

“The Cumberland and its relationship-managed approach is really filling a void that other banks are leaving. I’m looking forward to helping our existing customers to achieve their ambitions, bringing on more customers, and proving that we truly are a building society making a difference.”

McRoberts added: “I’m pleased to have started my role here at The Cumberland which puts people at the heart of what it does. There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead as we face further economic uncertainty but I’m looking forward to supporting our customers in any way that we can.”

Scott McKerracher, head of Commercial Lending at The Cumberland, concluded: “Georgie and Andy have both got a wealth of experience which I’m sure will positively impact our commercial team here at The Cumberland.

“As our customers continue to come under financial strain due to the ongoing financial crisis, we are pleased to be expanding our team in order to best support them and other potential new customers.”

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