Top 100: the most powerful people in hospitality

Back for the first time since 2012, The Caterer reveals the Top 100 most powerful people in hospitality, how they got onto our list and what you can learn from them

 

SEE THE LIST IN FULL AT WWW.THECATERER.COM/TOP100

 

It has been six years since The Caterer published its Top 100 list of the hospitality industry's most powerful movers and shakers. A lot has happened in that time.

 

With every single operator on this Top 100 power list focusing on the challenges that lay ahead as the country moves closer to Brexit, we celebrate the most influential individuals who are having the biggest impact upon the industry.

 

The list, sponsored by Knorr, features a diverse collection of personalities, from the bosses of the biggest corporate giants to those pushing the boundaries of style, concept or cuisine in their chosen field. It includes hoteliers, restaurateurs, contract caterers, pub and bar operators and chefs.

 

While the political landscape may have shown uncertainty since 2012, there is no denying that the occupier of the number one spot in the Top 100 has remained rock solid at the top of British hospitality. As well as heading the largest independent catering business in the UK â€" WSH â€" Alastair Storey has overseen the expansion of the business into the public dining arena and played an inspirational role in raising the profile of front of house staff through the Gold Service Scholarship.

 

 

The list has seen a dramatic rise in fortune for some, with Nick Jones, founder of Soho House & Co, shooting straight into the number four spot as a new entry. Jones is regarded as one of the most inspirational operators across the industry, and the launch last year of the Ned in the City of London as one of the most ground-breaking new hotels no doubt resulted in him being scored highly by the judges.

 

It is interesting to note that the two highest hoteliers on the list â€" Nick Jones and Robin Hutson â€" are lauded for their creative skills, while corporate hoteliers have not fared so well. This may well be because the sector has seen such luminaries as Patrick Dempsey at Whitbread and Richard Solomons of InterContinental Hotels Group step down from their roles. The split of ownership and operators has also had an impact.

 

Meanwhile, Tom Kerridge takes the prize for being our highest climber from the 2012 list, up an impressive 65 places â€" no doubt fuelled by the fact that he has established himself beyond the industry, thanks to his engaging television persona alongside building a solid collection of pubs in Marlow. He is now also on the verge of opening his biggest restaurant to date in London.

 

 

Leaders of the pub sector have performed well, with the likes of Tim Martin of JD Wetherspoon in second place and Rooney Anand of Green King in fifth, highlighting the extensive portfolio of properties over which they preside. Pubs are performing well at the moment, particularly when compared to the casual dining sector, which has been the major casualty of the perfect storm of rising rents, staffing costs and a declining pound.

 

Jamie Oliver has been one of the major players to take a hit, down from his 2012 position of number two to 11 this year. While the Compulsory Voluntary Arrangement of Jamie’s Italian along with the closure of 12 sites has impacted his standing, his influence within the political arena, together with his media personality, has ensured his continued high placing.

 

Over the next 13 pages and for the next five weeks, find out how everyone in the top 100 placed and what you can learn from them.

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The Caterer’s Top 100 most powerful people in hospitality

 

How we compiled the list

 

The Caterer Top 100 highlights the 100 most influential people whose achievements are having the biggest impact upon the hospitality industry in 2018. It tells you where they’ve been, where they are now and where they are going.

 

The individuals on the list are divided between hoteliers, restaurateurs, foodservice operators, pub and bar operators and chefs.

 

Nominees in each of these five categories were judged by a panel of industry experts and The Caterer’s editorial team. To qualify, the power and influence of candidates had to be primarily located in the UK market.

 

Shortlisted candidates were awarded marks for each of five criteria, which were then averaged out to give an overall ranking.

 

The judging criteria

 

1 Consideration was given to the scale and scope of the operation headed by the operators

 

2 The power and influence exerted by the individuals on the wider industry and the respect they command among their peers. We asked whether they were shapers of policy, leaders in their field, and nurturing the next generation

 

3 A proven record of financial success in the business over a period of time

 

4 Innovation and inspiration: To what degree do they and the business they run set standards that others want to copy?

 

5 Longevity: How does the individual and their work stand the test of time?

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From our sponsor

 

Knorr and Unilever Food Solutions are proud to support The Caterer’s Top 100 most powerful people in hospitality â€" especially in a year which marks The Caterer’s 140th and Knorr’s 180th anniversary. The foodservice industry is a significant and important part of Knorr’s business and we’re proud to have been by the side of culinary professionals since 1838.

 

Helping to encourage and grow chef talent has always been an important part of what we do, from a young chef’s first day at college through to their first day on their first job â€" and for many years beyond. We continue to be hugely passionate about ensuring chefs are equipped with the support they need, from recipe inspiration to advice in managing allergens â€" all backed by insight-driven product solutions which are fit for purpose across every sector and at every level.

 

Remember your first day? Watch our campaign film at ufs.com/knorr1838 and join in the conversation on our Facebook page.

 

Sarah Branagan, marketing director, Unilever Food Solutions

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The full list:

1. Alastair Storey
2. Tim Martin
3. Gordon Ramsay
4. Nick Jones
5. Rooney Anand
6. Jason Atherton
7. Richard Caring
8. Chris Corbin and Jeremy King
9. Heston Blumenthal
10. Bill Toner
11. Jamie Oliver
12. Robin Hutson
13. Phil Urban
14. Luke Johnson
15. Raymond Blanc
16. Jonathan Neame
17. Andy McCue
18. Tom Kerridge
19. David Loewi and Des Gunewardena
20. Ralph Findlay
21. Simon Townsend
22. Steve Richards
23. Robin Sheppard
24. Michel Roux Jr
25. Simon Longbottom
26. David Taylor
27. Fred Sirieix
28. Paul Pomroy
29. Robby Enthoven
30. Jeremy Roberts
31. Noel Mahony and John Bennett
32. David Forde
33. Alex Reilley
34. Alan Yau
35. Tim and Kit Kemp
36. Marcus Wareing
37. Tim Jones
38. Simon Emeny
39. Dominic Blakemore
40. Patrick Dardis
41. Karen Forrester
42. Rick Stein
43. Simon Rogan
44. Andrew Stembridge
45. Nathan Outlaw
46. Andrew Wilson and Carolyne Vale
47. Jinlong Wang
48. Alison Brittain
49. Hamish Stoddart and Lee Cash
50. Thomas Dubaere
51. John Vincent and Henry Dimbleby
52. Jyotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi
53. Mark Selby and Thomasina Miers
54. Robin Rowland
55. Mark Crowther
56. Allister Richards
57. Russell Norman and Richard Beatty
58. Claude Bosi
59. Sat Bains
60. Jonathan Raggett
61. Peter Gowers
62. Chris and Jeff Galvin
63. Simon Vincent
64. Chris Garside
65. Danny Pecorelli
66. Wendy Bartlett
67. Sir Rocco Forte
68. Sharan Pasricha
69. Sam, Eddie and James Hart
70. Jens Hofma
71. Angela Hartnett
72. Brett Graham
73. Clare Smyth
74. Tony Troy
75. Daniel Clifford
76. Jon Hendry-Pickup
77. Steve Holmes
78. Michael Caines
79. Jane Holbrook
80. James Horler
81. Phil Howard
82. Andrew Fairlie
83. Ken McCulloch
84. Ranjit Singh Boparan
85. Kris Gumbrell and Simon Bunn
86. Jillian Maclean
87. Guus Bakker
88. James Watt and Martin Dickie
89. Catherine Roe
90. Richard Corrigan
91. Tom Kitchin
92. Hugh Osmond
93. Mark Derry
94. Mike Sunley
95. Stephen and Juliette Wall
96. Kavi and Shamil Thakrar
97. Keith Barr
98. Chris Mitchell
99. Chris Bray
100. Gary Usher