In this episode were joined by Robin Chiang, Senior Vice President of Growth at OpenTable. Robin discusses the ways in which the platform helps hotels drive revenue growth, how hoteliers can leverage guest data to fully optimise their restaurant dining experience and the importance of attracting local guests to your hotels F&B sites. This episode was sponsored by Hop Software. Visit hopsoftware.com to book your free demo. This episode is sponsored by Hop Software: https://www.hopsoftware.com/
May 10, 2024•37 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode we speak to Tommie Eaton, Director of Clean the World UK. He spoke about how he first became an advocate for sustainability, the ways in which Clean the World helps hotels revolutionise their plastic recycling, the importance of a circular economy, and why it could be the future of hotels.
May 03, 2024•36 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're joined by James McGinn, Managing Director of Hastings Hotels in Northern Ireland. We spoke about how and why he pivoted away from accounting to hospitality, his multi-decade career with Hastings Hotels, how being Managing Director differs from his time as General Manager of the Europa Hotel, and his thoughts on how to attract and nurture the next generation of hospitality professionals.
Apr 26, 2024•43 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are joined by Julie White - CCO Europe & North Africa at Accor. Julie discusses how her previous experience in the airline industry helped her prepare for her future roles, the complexities of managing and implementing strategies across such a large portfolio, and her advice to women who want to pursue leadership roles.
Apr 19, 2024•32 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast This week we speak to Andrea Signanini, Food & Beverage Director at Pan Pacific London. Andrea spoke to us about his journey from footballer to F&B Director, how to remain competitive in the luxury hotel space, and the key ingredients for creating a memorable luxury dining experience in hotels.
Apr 12, 2024•28 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are joined by Mark Lewis, CEO of hotel distribution consortia HotelREZ. We discussed how fostering good relationships with hoteliers is key to HotelREZ's success, how AI will help shape the hospitality space in the future and why people are truly what makes this industry so unique.
Apr 05, 2024•38 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode were joined by Scott Brown, the UK Director of Sales for Meli Hotels International. Scott tells us about the importance of believing in your own offering when it comes to selling, what makes for a successful and strong sales team, and the ways in which Meli ensures its hotels stand out from the crowd.
Mar 28, 2024•44 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast This week were joined by Lionel Benjamin, the co-founder of AGO Hotels. We discuss the launch of AGO Hotels, the companys hybrid profit lease business model and the challenges of launching a new venture in the midst of a pandemic.
Mar 22, 2024•54 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast This week we spoke to Will Davies, Director at HBD Partners and co-founder of Checking-IN, the inter hotel LGBTQ+ network. He spoke about his transition from hands-on hospitality to recruitment, how the industry has evolved in its approach to talent acquisition and the work Checking-IN does to support the LGBTQ+ community within hospitality.
Mar 15, 2024•40 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are joined by Jim Cockell, the owner of the boutique hotel The Old Stocks Inn. We discussed Jims decision to acquire the hotel back in 2014 and what he learned during the significant renovation project that followed, what skills he thinks are needed to create a successful revenue management strategy and why hoteliers should always look out for opportunities to diversify their revenue streams.
Mar 01, 2024•41 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast This week we spoke to Eljesa Saciri, General Manager of The Zetter Marylebone. Eljesa spoke about her strong advocacy for equality within the industry, what can be done to break down barriers for other women in hospitality, how to encourage young people to begin their own career journeys, and the importance of having difficult conversations to further progress.
Feb 23, 2024•44 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are joined by Giles Fuchs, owner of the iconic Burgh Island Hotel. We spoke about how it has been brought up to date with renovations, the new hotel-like staff accommodation that's just opened, and how it's intended to attract and retain staff in a tough recruitment environment, and why Giles feels it's time to sell and get back to full-time on his existing serviced office business.
Feb 16, 2024•36 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast This week were joined by Neil Taylor, the General Manager of YOTEL Glasgow. In this episode, Neil explains how his passion for hospitality developed at a young age, the importance of strong communication with your team as a General Manager, and how the industry can best attract and retain employees.
Feb 09, 2024•42 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast This week were joined by Martin Terry, Director of Sales at Stapleford Park. Martin talks to us about the ins and outs of targeting sales and staying competitive, the importance of connecting with customers to better understand your business, and what we can expect to see in the hotel events market this coming year.
Feb 02, 2024•29 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode we are joined by Emlyn Brown, Global Senior Vice President of Wellbeing at Accor. We discussed the challenges of overseeing a wellness and wellbeing strategy across multiple brands, his tips for independent hoteliers and what he calls the 'me to we' revolution.
Jan 26, 2024•39 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are joined by Marc Roeberson, the new COO of Clink Hostels. He tells us about the sixth instalment of Clinks property portfolio, the importance of a strong CSR programme, and what he thinks the accommodation market will look like in the coming months.
Jan 19, 2024•21 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast This week we speak to Lee Pickersgill, Energy Manager at Valor Hospitality. Lee talks about what he learned during his time with the Royal Engineers, how he helps Valor reduce its energy usage across its portfolio, and what sustainable initiatives are set to emerge in the industry.
Dec 22, 2023•38 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast This week were joined by Chris Eigelaar, Resort Director at The Belfry Hotel & Resort. Chris talks to us about his career beginnings in South Africa, his current role as Resort Director, and how best to attract and retain talent in the industry, and foster a positive people culture.
Dec 15, 2023•33 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast This week we spoke to Michael Mason-Shaw, general manager at Hyatt Place London City East. We spoke about his career, starting as an art graduate, becoming Accors food and beverage country manager, and onward to GM roles working with Cycas Hospitality Management. We touched on his passion for sustainability and how to bring it into hospitality, and how technology is the key change the industry has seen since he started back in 1999.
Dec 01, 2023•36 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast In this week's special episode we are joined by Hotel Owners very own reporter Corina Duma. Corina recently attended Hospas annual conference so we have brought her in to discuss who was in attendance and delve into some of the major talking points presented at one of the industry's marquee events.
Nov 24, 2023•24 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast This week were joined by James Horn, F&B Director at The Cumberland in London. James talks about his early career in New York City, what its like to work alongside hospitality legends such as Wolfgang Puck, his experience of revamping F&B offerings for hotels and what makes for a successful F&B offering for your site.
Nov 17, 2023•42 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are joined by Barbara Van Teeffelen, the owner of exclusive stay country house hotel, Keythorpe Hall. We discussed how Barbara and her partner Giles acquired the property, the benefits of the exclusive stay model and how sustainability is key to their offering.
Nov 10, 2023•30 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast This week were joined by Joe Fox, Head Concierge at Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill. Joe talks about his varied concierge roles over the years, including his time as chief concierge on a cruise ship, the benefits of being a member of Les Clefs dOr and the most unusual requests hes received from guests.
Nov 03, 2023•47 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast This week we speak with Arnaud de Saint-Exupry, Area Vice President of Hyatt UK & Ireland and General Manager of Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill. Arnaud talks about his journey into hospitality, the benefits of holding his dual role and exciting future plans for Hyatt.
Oct 27, 2023•48 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast This week we speak to Mark Hills, General Manager of The Gresham Aparthotel. Mark tells us about his transition from F&B to GM roles, how The Gresham transformed a beloved Fenwick department store into an aparthotel whilst retaining its original character, and how recruitment challenges might be the single biggest change Mark has seen during his career.
Oct 20, 2023•33 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's episode we talk to Alex Livesey, the managing director of Brama Hotels, as well as COO of co-working space Clockwise. Alex talks about the lessons learned throughout her 25 years in the industry, how co-working spaces can benefit from the hospitality touch, and the process of building a hotel brand from scratch.
Oct 13, 2023•47 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast This week we spoke to Harro Dorsch, the owner of Weaverham, Cheshire based B&B, The Hive at 52. We discussed his wide ranging previous career in hospitality in both Holland and the UK, why and how he decided to set up his own B&B business, his thoughts on OTAs and his approach to social media marketing.
Oct 06, 2023•37 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode were joined by Dan Sutton, Head of Hotels at Roadchef. We discussed Dans unique career journey, including launching Thorpe Park's first accommodation offering, transitioning from F&B, and the key to Roadchefs strong relationship with Wyndham Hotels.
Sep 29, 2023•45 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast This week we speak with Jane Pendlebury, the CEO of HOSPA (the Hospitality Professionals Association). We spoke about her career starting as a trainee duty manager with DeVere, her experience in technology companies and how it relates to her role today, and her thoughts on how the industry has changed and the challenges it faces.
Sep 22, 2023•33 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode of Checking In we are joined by Mario Flanagan, the general manager of Andaz London Liverpool Street. We discussed Marios journey into hospitality from starting as a concierge in South Africa, brushing shoulders with Michael Jackson and Michelle Obama, and how Andaz uses data to personalise its offering.
Sep 15, 2023•45 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast 
