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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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Please contact Michael Northcott, Editor and Event Director, at mjn@mulberrymedia.co.uk.
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Home > Quick Guides > How to hire front of house staff
How to hire front of house staff

How to hire front of house staff

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.

In association with

Front of house staff play a key role in providing a positive customer experience. That’s why it’s important to build the right front of the house team. Here are some tips on how to hire the best front of house staff team:

Define the job requirements

Defining the job requirements is essential to attracting the right candidates. For example, if you are hiring for a server position, you may want to require candidates to have previous experience in a high-volume restaurant. Consider what skills and experience are essential to the position and use these requirements to screen candidates.

Develop a clear job description

A clear job description is essential to ensure that candidates have a clear understanding of the role and its requirements. The job description should outline the responsibilities, expectations, and performance goals for each position. Be sure to also include information about the hotel’s brand and culture.

Use a variety of recruitment channels

Using a variety of recruitment channels can help you reach a wider pool of candidates. For example, posting job openings on job boards, using social media to advertise the position, and reaching out to professional networks can all be effective ways to attract candidates. Consider which channels are most likely to reach your target audience.

Conduct thorough interviews

Conducting thorough interviews is critical to assessing candidates’ skills, experience, and personality. Behavioral-based interview questions can be particularly effective, as they focus on how the candidate has handled specific situations in the past. Asking open-ended questions can also help you get a better sense of the candidate’s communication and problem-solving skills.

Check references

Checking references can help you verify a candidate’s qualifications and experience. When checking references, be sure to ask previous employers about the candidate’s performance, reliability, and work ethic. This can help you gain a better understanding of the candidate’s suitability for the position.

Evaluate cultural fit

Evaluating a candidate’s cultural fit with the hotel is important to ensuring a positive work environment. Consider factors such as the candidate’s values, work style, and personality. If a candidate seems like a poor cultural fit, they may not be as engaged or productive in their role, which could negatively impact the guest experience.

Provide a comprehensive training program

Providing a comprehensive training program for new front of house staff can help ensure they are set up for success. This should include training on hotel policies and procedures, customer service, and any specific job duties. Ongoing training and support can also help staff members improve and develop their skills over time.

Following these tips will help you hire skilled and motivated front of house staff.

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