WiHTL names women to watch in hospitality

A list of inspirational women as well as 14 role models in hospitality, travel and leisure have been recognised for their achievements.

Executive chef Rose Ashby of Spring restaurant and Amy Cridland, director of operations at McDonald's UK&I, are among those featured in the Women to Watch and Role Models for Inclusion in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure Index 2021.

The list is produced by Women in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure (WiHTL) in partnership with the MBS Group, and compiles women who are "distinguished for their commercial and operational excellence, industry and social impact, achievements, resilience and commitment to the industry".

The index includes Vickie Elsey, HR director of destination food brands at Greene King; Koula Achillea, finance director at Oakman Group, and Serena Shah, global strategy manager at InterContinental Hotels Group.

Also on the list are Rebecca Brock, commercial and customer director of Costa Coffee; Nathalie Drew, marketing director at Club Med, and Stephanie Farrow, head of strategy and insight at PizzaExpress.

Tea Colaianni, founder and chair of WiHTL, said: "I am proud to share the success stories of the women featured who have achieved leadership, entrepreneurial, and commercial success whilst the role models for inclusion have made a wider contribution to their organisation in furthering inclusion and belonging."

While the ‘Women to Watch' index has reached its third iteration, the ‘Role Models for Inclusion' list, which celebrates those who "proactively champion" a culture of inclusivity and diversity in the workplace, is in its second year.

These include Kate Coyne, senior manager, global consumer GTM & gender equality committee member at Deliveroo; Amanda Jamerson, director and Hilton Honors Member at Experience Hilton, and Matt Case, regional operations manager at Whitbread.

For more details, download the index here.