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Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA) is celebrating 10 years with Jane Pendlebury at its helm as CEO overseeing the organisation’s expansion in professional development and industry advocacy.
Since her appointment in early 2016, it said Pendlebury has managed HOSPA through a period of “significant digital transformation” and the impact of the 2020 pandemic.
During this time, the association produced best-practice guidelines for hotel recovery and transitioned its flagship HOSPACE conference to a virtual format to maintain member engagement.
Under her leadership, the association has focused on finance, revenue management, and technology, while expanding its learner base within the UK hospitality sector.
The association’s professional development arm currently reports a 95% learner success rate and has recently introduced specialised curriculum such as Revenue Management for Meeting Space.
Pendlebury’s tenure has seen the HOSPACE event reach its 20th anniversary with record attendance levels.
Her background includes operational experience as a trainee duty manager at De Vere Hotels and a career in hospitality technology.
According to HOSPA, this combination of operational and technical experience has been utilised to “bridge the gap between complex software implementation and traditional service values”.
Pendlebury said: “The last 10 years have been a period to lead this association. Hospitality is about people, and my focus has been watching our members and learners thrive despite the challenges our sector has faced.
“We have moved from a growth era to a value-driven approach, and HOSPA has been at the forefront of that evolution. I look forward to supporting industry leaders as they navigate opportunities in 2026 and beyond.”
Chris Cowls, chairman of HOSPA, added: “Jane’s leadership over the past ten years has been a significant asset. She possesses technical expertise and understanding of the workforce, which has made her an asset to HOSPA and the wider hospitality community.
“Her ability to adapt in a changing commercial landscape ensures that our members are equipped with the tools they need to succeed. We are celebrating this decade of achievement with her.”
