Posts by author

Michael Northcott

10 posts
Black-and-white street scene showing a large Farmers Market sign with a clock and people gathered below near storefronts.
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  • 8 min

UK Hotel Sector Faces Cost Challenges with £1.4 Billion Wage Increase and £28,900 Average Business Rates Hike

💸 During Q2 2026, the UK hotel sector faced operating cost challenges, with a £1.4 billion statutory wage increase and an average business rates rise of £28,900 per hotel. London saw hotel performance decline, with occupancy falling from 78.9% to 77.4% and RevPAR decreasing from £157.68 to £156.60. In contrast, regional markets like Glasgow and Cardiff experienced RevPAR growth of 14% and 10%, respectively, driven by major events and domestic tourism.
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Vibhu Gaind, RBH Hospitality's CIO, to Speak at Hotel Owner Conference in London on November 3, 2026.

💻 Vibhu Gaind, CIO of RBH Hospitality Management, will be a speaker at the Hotel Owner Conference on 3rd November 2026 in London. Gaind, with over 26 years in hospitality tech, leads RBH's IT strategy, ensuring modern tech integration. Since joining RBH in 2000, he has provided 24/7 hotel support and managed IT projects. He also serves on IHG’s European and Global IT Committees, influencing major hotel tech developments.
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  • 2 min

Simon Numphud of AA Media Services to Join Expert Panel at Hotel Owner Conference 2026 in London

📆 3rd November 2026, London: Simon Numphud, MD of AA Media Services, will join the Hotel Owner Conference at Prince Philip House. Numphud, an expert in UK hospitality, focuses on inspection, accreditation, and advisory services. His work enhances quality and customer experience, supporting UK hotels and restaurants. Michael Northcott of Hotel Owner values Numphud's insight into maintaining standards. The conference gathers industry experts to discuss operational and investment trends. Tickets are available online.
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  • 2 min

Shonali Devereaux, CEO of MIA, to Speak at Hotel Owner Conference on November 3, 2026, in London

📅 Shonali Devereaux, CEO of the Meetings Industry Association since November 2024, will join the Hotel Owner Conference on 3rd November 2026 at Prince Philip House, London. With 30 years of experience, including leadership roles in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, she also volunteers, lectures, and champions inclusivity. The conference gathers major industry figures to discuss operational and investment trends. Tickets and details are on the event's official website.
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Paul Blackmore to Join Hotel Owner Conference as Panellist, Focusing on Hilton’s UK and Ireland Expansion Strategies

🏨 Paul Blackmore, Hilton’s VP of Development for the UK and Ireland, will be a panelist at the Hotel Owner Conference on 3rd November 2026 at Prince Philip House, London. Blackmore, who joined Hilton in 2017, focuses on expanding non-luxury and premium economy brands like Curio, Tapestry, and Spark. With over 20 years in hotel development, he previously led architecture and construction roles in Europe, Türkiye, and North Africa, and was MD at CIMC Modular Building Solutions.
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Regional UK Hotels Outperform London in Q1 2026 Amid Rising Costs and Supply-Side Challenges in Capital

📈 The UK hospitality sector saw mixed results in Q1 2026. Regional hotels outperformed London, driven by event demand, with Glasgow and Cardiff's RevPAR up 14% and 10%. London faced over-supply, with RevPAR down 2.5% and occupancy flat at 66.7%. National GOP margins dropped from 23.4% to 22.3%, while London's fell from 26.3% to 24.2%. Wage and rates hikes could lead to 2,076 closures, including 574 hotels. PPHE's revenue rose 8% to £83.8m, securing a £136m loan.
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Mark Lewis, CEO of Hospitality Action, to Speak on Workforce Welfare at Hotel Owner Conference 2026 in London

📅 Mark Lewis, CEO of Hospitality Action, will speak at the Hotel Owner Conference on November 3, 2026, at Prince Philip House, London. With over two decades in the charity, Lewis has led since 2017 and was a trustee for 12 years. He also worked 14 years at The Caterer magazine. The conference will address workforce welfare and industry resilience. Registration is available on the official website.
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Varun Shetty, GM of The Belfry, to Speak at Hotel Owner Conference 2026 in London on November 3rd

📅 Varun Shetty, GM of The Belfry, will speak at the Hotel Owner Conference on 3rd November 2026 at Prince Philip House, London. With nearly 30 years in hospitality, Shetty led The Belfry's £85m expansion, reducing staff turnover by 50% and achieving record revenues. The Belfry was named 'Best Employer' at the Springboard Awards. The event focuses on responsible tourism and AI, promoting leadership and industry excellence. Tickets are available online.
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  • 2 min

Christian Masters, General Manager of art’otel London Hoxton, Joins Speaker Lineup at 2026 Hotel Owner Conference

🏨 Christian Masters will speak at the Hotel Owner Conference in London on November 3, 2026. He is the general manager of art’otel London Hoxton, where he has been since 2023. Masters has nearly 20 years of experience, including roles at St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Conrad London St. James, and Montcalm East. The conference at Prince Philip House will offer insights for hotel owners and operators on market complexities.
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Suzanne Speak of Radisson to Provide Strategic Insights on Hotel Portfolio Growth at 2026 Hotel Owner Conference

📅 Suzanne Speak joins the Hotel Owner Conference on 3rd November 2026 at Prince Philip House, London. As Radisson Hotel Group's UK&I managing director, she oversees 44 hotels, expanding to 48 by year-end. With nearly 30 years in hospitality, Speak will share insights on hotel acquisitions, revenue strategy, and owner relations, amidst the sector's growth. Michael Northcott, editor of Hotel Owner, highlights her expertise in portfolio management and brand standards. Full details are on the event's official website.
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