09:25 - 09:30

Welcome

09:30 - 10:05

Bulletproof storytelling for courageous leaders

In high-stakes environments, communication is the difference between clarity and chaos. The right story can inspire trust, cut through noise, and define a leader’s legacy. In this session our special guest speaker will share battlefield-tested storytelling for leaders who need to command attention, build resilience, and make an impact. This hands-on session will outline how to confidentially communicate when making challenging decisions and create internal resilience to get through difficult times.

Speaker

Special Guest Speaker, PR & communications expert, UK Civil Service

10:05 - 10:45

Unfiltered insights: real talk on hospitality culture from the people who live it every day

Culture is the word on every HR professional’s lips – but are you talking the talk AND walking the walk?  

In this panel discussion we invite former Acorn 30-under-30 award winners who are at the front-line of hospitality to talk candidly about the workplace culture they have experienced – what has worked, what didn’t and what they want from their future careers.  

Join this session for your chance to quiz the people at the heart of hospitality. 

Speakers

Beth Bond, director, The Cottage in the Wood (2021 Acorn Winner)

Katariina Reissaar, director of operations, Royal Air Force Club (2023 Acorn Winner)

Adam Howard, general manager, Hotel Indigo Cardiff (2024 Acorn Winner)

Chris Davis, head chef, Company of Cooks at the Royal Opera House (2024 Acorn Winner)

Moderator

Timothy Andrews, head of talent, Jumeirah Carlton Tower

10:45 - 11:00

Hospitality Connect

Adrian Ellis will explain how operators are engaging the next generation of employees through Hospitality Connect, an organisation that links the industry with schools to encourage students to consider hospitality careers. Since 2021 Hospitality Connect has established 145 school and hotel partnerships and is looking to grow further to inspire even more of the country. This session will explore how you can benefit from better community connections and set up long lasting partnerships.

Speaker

Adrian Ellis, founder, Hospitality Connect

11:00 - 11:40

Networking Break

11:40 - 12:00

Thinking green: leveraging sustainability practices to attract and retain talent

We all know customers are increasingly choosing where to spend their hospitality pounds depending on a venue’s green credentials, but what about your workers? Today’s workforce is increasingly concerned about the environment and prioritising eco-conscious behaviours, but are you aligning your organisation’s values with employee expectations?

This session will explore how integrating sustainability practices into workplace culture can not only enhance a company’s environmental impact but can also create a competitive advantage when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. Join this session to learn insights from hospitality companies who are boosting their brand by fostering a greener workplace.

Speakers

Kevin Brooke, general manager, Heckfield Place

Claire Corridan, head of people and culture, Uncommon

Alex Knowles-McNab, head of people, The Pig Hotels

Moderator

Mark Chapman, founder and chief executive, Zero Carbon Forum

12:00 - 12:15 

Inclusive HR policies: understanding the power of language

As conversations around equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging continue to grow in importance, HR leaders are increasingly tasked with reassessing traditional policies and introducing new policies to ensure they align with modern values and truly promote an inclusive environment.

HR leaders must prioritise inclusivity in their policies, addressing areas such as parental leave, dignity at work, menopause and workplace adjustments with sensitivity and care.

But a simple “copy and paste” approach to delivering these policies is not the way forward as each individual in your company may have their own specific needs.

This practical session will empower HR leaders to not only rethink the language of their policies but also highlights the importance of interrelated policies and how line managers are responsible for ensuring these policies are applied in a fair and equitable way.

By concentrating on inclusivity, clarity, and actionable strategies, attendees will be better equipped to create a workplace where all employees thrive.

Speaker

Lyndsey Oliver, head of equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I), BaxterStorey

12:15 - 13:30

Lunch

13:30 - 13:55 

The big debate: working from home vs returning to the office

In recent months, the debate between working from home (WFH) and returning to the office (RTO) has been making headlines as businesses attempt to adapt to shift mindsets from post-pandemic to future productivity.

There are mixed views on how WFH impacts productivity, with some companies arguing employees are more focused and productive at home, while others are concerned about managing and supporting remote teams and on missing out on connecting with colleagues without those ‘watercooler’ in-person moments and knowledge exchange.

Join this thought-provoking debate where we explore the future of work in the hospitality industry, with two industry heavyweights taking to the stage to argue their positions on the WFH v RTO debate.  

Speakers

Gareth Banner, group managing director, The Ned

Trudi Parr, head of people and development, Mollie's

Moderator

James Stagg, editor, The Caterer

13:55 - 14:10

Freedom to evolve: building a strong company culture across continents

High-performing cultures give businesses a powerful competitive advantage, often providing higher retention, engagement, innovation and profitability. But how do you go about exporting an existing culture to a new opening when that site is 3,500 miles away? 

Ceri Gott is the chief culture and growth officer at award-winning restaurant group Hawksmoor, which opened its first site in the US in 2021. She shares her experience of leading the people function in a completely different country, from understanding differences in management and communication styles to work-life balance – and it’s far more difficult than learning a new set of holiday entitlements (although, spoiler alert, these are important too!).

Join this session to hear her tips on navigating the complexities of expanding a UK hospitality business into the US and building strong cross-cultural teams.

Speaker

Ceri Gott, culture & leadership coach, Hawksmoor

14:10 - 14:25 

Revolutionising employee engagement with AI: Pizza Pilgrims introduces Joshua the chatbot

In today’s fast-paced hospitality environment, effective communication is more critical than ever. As businesses grow, keeping employees connected and informed can be a challenge - especially when teams are spread across multiple locations. Enter AI.

In this session, Pizza Pilgrims shares its learnings from embracing AI to tackle these communication challenges head-on with its award-winning chatbot, Joshua. Available 24/7, Joshua provides instant answers to a range of employee queries, from shift schedules to company policies. As the technology evolves, it will also deliver real-time data, like amount of pizzas served. Discover how leveraging AI not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances the employee experience.

Speaker

Oli Cavaliero, head of people and engagement, Pizza Pilgrims

14:25 - 14:40

Investing in leadership: how to avoid accidental managers

Exponential growth is always a nice problem to have, but with it comes a raft of challenges, especially when it comes to growing your workforce to match the pace of a successful business.

The Inn Collection has rapidly grown to 32 pubs across the North of England and Wales, but until recently, the HR department was faced with the challenge of having to promote managers who were fantastic colleagues, but not quite ready for the role.

Before embarking on appropriate training, the business came together to define what “good leadership” meant to the Inn Collective. This conversation will demonstrate how a clear understanding of great management can prevent the promotion of under-skilled managers.

This session will share insights on nurturing talent early, identifying future managers and providing a comprehensive leadership pathway with clear performance milestones that creates confident, capable managers.

Join us to explore how to build a sustainable leadership pipeline that grows alongside your business – ensuring your top talent is ready for the next step.

Speakers

Liz Robertson, people director, the Inn Collection

Ashleigh Fenwick, head of learning and talent, the Inn Collection

Cally Bannon-Smith, head coach, CLASSOF68, Sixty Eight People

Moderator

Caroline Baldwin, deputy editor, The Caterer

14:40 - 15:10 

Unlocking high-performance teams: the power of social capital and team dynamics in driving success 

Step into the world of elite sports performance with David Jones, a psychologist who has worked with Saracens RFC, within Formula One and for the English Institute of Sport (Performance Lifestyle).

In this session, Jones will take you behind the scenes of high-performing teams, sharing how team dynamics and social capital can drive success. He uncovers where performance originates, how it manifests itself and how businesses can drive it within their teams.  Using data, research and stories, Jones explores how making certain decisions around their structures and people gives teams the opportunity to develop competitive advantage.

Speaker

David Jones, psychologist, Saracens RFC 

15.10 - 15:35 

Networking Break

15:35 - 15:55

How to become one of the Best Places to Work in Hospitality

Join this panel to analyse the key findings from the Best Places to Work in Hospitality survey, which will identify what makes a great employer. Our panel will explore what motivates hospitality employees and uncover the business attributes and benefits that make for a happy, equitable workplace that offers a real sense of purpose for its people. 

Speaker

Jo Harley, co-founder, Korero 

Moderator

James Stagg, editor, The Caterer

15:55 - 16:00

Top 30 Best Places to Work in Hospitality revealed

The Caterer's Best Places to Work in Hospitality 2025 is a celebration of employment best practice, featuring companies large and small, established and entrepreneurial, and holding them up as exemplars in employee engagement. Join us as we announce this year's winners. To find out more about the awards, click here.

16:00 - 16:05

Closing Remarks