HOC26 In Conversation With… Shonali Devereaux Meetings Industry Association CEO
We are now just over three months out from the Hotel Owner Conference 2026 this November in London.…
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Lewis Catchpole
76 posts
Hospitality Social Media Summit Highlights Social Media's Expanded Role Beyond Marketing in Industry Operations
📱 On September 3-4, 2026, the Hospitality Social Media Summit will take place at Chicago Booth School of Business in London, aiming to educate leaders on integrating social media with revenue, service, and loyalty. Former IHG Global Director Whitney Reynolds highlights social media's evolution into a business-wide layer. Delegates can join the two-day programme and six-month development. Kordie® offers training for new hospitality roles, leveraging AI and expert insights.
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Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort Near Glasgow Appoints Three Senior Managers Amid Multi-Million-Pound Refurbishment
🏨 JA Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort in Glasgow appoints three senior managers as part of a multi-million-pound refurbishment. Brian Scanlan, with 25+ years at The Ivy and Cameron House, joins as executive chef, focusing on local ingredients. Yasmine Gibb, with seven years at Hilton Glasgow, is now food and beverage manager. Conrad Cooper, formerly at Crowne Plaza Glasgow, becomes executive housekeeper. Owned by Dutco Group since 2024, the 74-room hotel plans menu changes.
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Kerridge's Bar and Grill in London to Close for Redesign on August 2, Reopen in September 2026
🍳 Kerridge’s Bar and Grill in Corinthia London will close on August 2, 2026, for a redesign, adding a dedicated bar and intimate dining space. It will reopen in early September 2026. The venue, opened in 2018 by chef Tom Kerridge, is part of the hotel's food and beverage operations since 2011 in Westminster. Kerridge also runs The Hand and Flowers in Marlow, and has authored 14 cookbooks. More details on the relaunch will be announced soon.
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A&O Hostels Appoints Markus Harder as CFO to Lead Finance and Drive AI-Focused Digital Strategy
📈 A&O Hostels appointed Markus Harder as CFO, effective immediately. Based in Berlin, Harder will manage finance, legal, risk management, and procurement while leading a digital strategy using AI and cloud tech. Previously at DeepL, Harder has extensive experience from Contentful, SoundCloud, and Morgan Stanley. This follows an €874m (£745m) refinancing with Apollo. CEO Oliver Winter emphasized Harder’s expertise in scaling and innovation. Harder sees technology reshaping the guest experience, with A&O poised to lead.
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Hand Picked Hotels Appoints Eugenio Pirri and David Spooner to Executive Team for Strategic Growth Phase
🏨 Hand Picked Hotels appointed Eugenio Pirri as chief culture officer on 20 July 2026 and David Spooner as chief commercial officer on 7 September 2026. Both will be based in the new central London office. Pirri, with 13 years at Dorchester Collection, will lead culture strategy, transitioning responsibilities from Deborah Seymour. Spooner, from Six Senses, will direct sales and marketing. These appointments aim to enhance the group's growth strategy and leadership team.
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Innholder Scholarship Program Advances 70% of Participants to Senior Leadership in Hospitality Industry
📚 In 2015, a Master Innholders' Innholder Scholarship enabled career growth, promoting leadership skills and industry networking. Today, 70% of recent Scholars have advanced to senior roles, underscoring structured development's impact on retention. Karen de Koning, a 2021 Scholar, highlights strategic thinking as crucial for growth. David Morgan Hewitt's 1997 experience at Cornell emphasized diverse perspectives. Samantha Rieu, a 2024 Scholar, notes the confidence gained from training enhances leadership and industry collaboration.
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UK Hospitality Sector Faces £65 Billion Lending Gap, Losing £4.6 Billion in Potential Investments
🏨 Hotel owners in the UK are facing challenges as energy price inflation linked to conflict in Iran impacts consumer sentiment, potentially affecting summer bookings. The sector contributes nearly £70 billion to UK GDP and employs 2.6 million people, but faces a £65 billion lending gap. Business banks offer low-interest rates, costing the industry £400 million annually. Diversification in financial services offers hope, with challenger banks supporting hotel owners' investment plans and offering better returns on savings.
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Innside Manchester Refurbishes 208 Rooms with Sustainable Upgrades to Mark 10 Years of Trading
📍 Innside Manchester refurbished its 208 bedrooms and suites for its 10th anniversary. The upgrades, including bedside USB and USB-C charging ports and smart TVs with Chromecast, align it with sister hotels in Newcastle and Liverpool. Meliá Hotels International implemented sustainability-focused renovations using oak-inspired vinyl flooring and repurposed fixtures. Garry Fortune, UK operations director, emphasized enhancing guest comfort and maintaining brand alignment. The redesign aims to create a welcoming environment for both business and leisure travelers.
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England and Wales See 10% Year-on-Year Decline in Company Insolvencies for June 2026, Reports Show
📈 England and Wales recorded 1,845 company insolvencies in June 2026, down 10% from June 2025, with 1,364 being creditors’ voluntary liquidations. Administrations rose by 45% to 191 due to real estate company cases. The insolvency rate decreased to 50.5 per 10,000 active companies. Retail, wholesale, and hospitality made up 29% of yearly insolvencies. Scotland and Northern Ireland saw 104 and 18 insolvencies, respectively. Businesses face uncertainty amid new governance and potential tax reforms.
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