James Stagg, editor, The Caterer

In a session designed to challenge the orthodoxy, Chantal Wilson will explain why she believes we should rip up the rule book when it comes to workplace culture. The people director at N64 Arcade Bars will provide her philosophy for creating meaningful roles that make work fulfilling. She will address how to make the job worth doing every day, the nano moments that add up to make a positive employee experience, and why no job should be a bad job.

Speaker:

Chantal Wilson, people director, N64 Arcade Bars

There has been a raft of films and TV shows that have put the commercial kitchen at the heart of the drama, including the likes of The Bear, Boiling Point and The Menu. Although these films show the skills and camaraderie required in a professional kitchen, they also expose the short tempers and long hours many businesses have tried to steer away from in recent years.

In this thought-provoking panel discussion chefs and hospitality HR leaders will dissect the cinematic portrayals of the kitchen and ask how the industry can harness this publicity to promote careers. Our panellists will share their own insights into creative recruitment and discuss how kitchens can be a place of positive change.

In this session:

• How to promote a positive and supportive kitchen culture.
• Have changing societal attitudes toward work-life balance and mental health influenced the hospitality industry?
• How to address the mental and emotional toll associated with the high-pressure world of professional kitchens.
• Creative ways to communicate advancements to potential future workers to encourage people to embark on a career in the kitchen.

Speakers:

Dan Brod, co-founder, Beckford Group

Anna Haugh, chef owner, Myrtle Restaurant

Matthew Lockwood, managing partner, the Tommy Banks Group

Moderator:

Sophie Witts, news editor, The Caterer

Do you struggle to retain talented people? Hospitality can’t shake the high turnover stereotype, yet a happy workforce equals a healthy bottom line. Join Harri for a fireside chat about how the root of today’s labour challenges is high turnover, especially within the first 90 days. We’ll delve into the power of daily employee engagement, the key insights to help you drive retention, and how to empower managers to engage your workforce in order to drive profitability. This talk will cover:

• How to get to the root of who’s ready to go and who’s ready to grow
• Why focusing on retention is the key to labour optimisation and profitability
• Engaging onboarding practices that keep new hires engaged in the first 90 days and beyond
• Empowering your managers to foster a culture of continuous engagement where employees feel valued and heard

James Appleton, director of talent acquisition products, harri

Unprecedented advancements in automation and artificial intelligence are leading all industries to question how technology will impact the way we work. The hospitality industry is no exception, employing technologies such as chatbot concierges and room service robots, as well as the unseen advancements of the software responsible for running any business smoothly. It’s integral that hospitality HR professionals keep abreast with technology changes and understand how to manage both humans and machines.

This session will unpack the ethical implications of integrating advanced technologies into hospitality: are robots set to replace certain job functions, and where can AI help with HR tasks, engagement and automation of core processes?

In this session:

• How can hospitality leverage technology without compromising the warmth and personal touch it is known for?
• Where can AI add value to core people processes and how can it be integrated?
• What are the implications for HR? And what strategies can ensure a harmonious integration of humans and new technologies within the industry?

Speakers:

Christian Berthelsen, chief technology officer, Fourth

Jon Dawson, chief people officer, Lore Group

Martin MacPhail, HR director, RBH

Hannah Swarbrick-Done, head of people, Big Fang

Moderator:

Caroline Baldwin, deputy editor, The Caterer

Are you considering every factor that plays a part in your employees’ satisfaction? Many of us prioritise reward, recognition and opportunity for progression; but what about the boxes that we need to tick off before we get there? Here Jamie Campbell, director of learning at Access Hospitality, uses Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to help you identify what you should prioritise, what you might be missing, and ultimately, how you ensure you’re fulfilling your team’s needs.

This session will cover:

• An overview of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how it applies to people management in hospitality
• Prioritisation: nice to have vs the must haves
• Identifying the weaknesses in your business
• The top things employees are looking for in 2024

Speaker:

Jamie Campbell, director of learning, Access Hospitality

People with learning disabilities can bring exceptional talent to a hospitality business. One business that has already realised the potential of this resource is Hilton, which hires people with learning disabilities across front office, kitchen, food and beverage and revenue management. In this session the hotel group will explain how it has partnered with Foxes Academy to support people with learning disabilities to enter the workplace.

In this session:

• The benefits of embracing inclusivity.
• How to adapt your hiring process to instil confidence in applicants with a learning disability.
• How to carve out relevant roles and put reasonable adjustments in place to ensure your new recruits gain the most from their employment.

Speakers:

Esther Brittan, HR operations manager UK&I, Hilton

Mark Costello, principal, Aurora Foxes – The Aurora-Group

Patricia Mahon, general manager, Hilton London Kensington

Moderator:

Jungmin Seo, reporter, The Caterer

This session will delve into the untapped potential of prison-leavers, showcasing the positive impact they can make in the hospitality industry. Alex Head, founder of Social Pantry, challenges the preconceptions of hiring ex-offenders and has paved the way for a more inclusive and compassionate workforce, while helping to rebuild lives and reduce reoffending rates. She will explain how 10% of her workforce now consists of ex-offenders, who have taken roles from chefs to baristas, as well as how she opened its first café behind bars at HMP Feltham. In this session she explains the benefits of hiring ex-offenders to both the business and employee, while taking some time to hear from an ex-offender about how their life has turned around after being offered a second chance.

Speaker:

Alex Head, founder, Social Pantry, plus special guest

When looking towards an unpredictable future for the hospitality industry, the people team has never been more important. This panel will bring together HR leaders and industry visionaries to explore the challenges and innovations that are shaping people management in the ever-evolving hospitality landscape. Our speakers are at the forefront of creating a people-centric future for the industry and will delve into the strategies, trends and transformative approaches that define excellence in HR leadership for the sector now and in the future.

In this session:

• How can HR leaders attract, identify and retain top talent in a competitive industry?
• What are the key ways to foster a positive workplace culture that nurtures its people and creates environments where people can thrive?
• How can operators champion diversity and inclusion in 2024 and beyond and create inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and empower all team members?
• In the wake of global shifts in remote work and hybrid working, what strategies are HR leaders employing to ensure teams remain connected and motivated, regardless of their work setting?
• How do industry leaders manage in times of crisis? And how do they support the resilience and wellbeing of both their teams and themselves?

Speakers:

Dawn Browne, people and talent director, Fuller, Smith & Turner

Justin Johnson, HR director, Elior

Liz McGivern, vice president of people and culture, Red Carnation Hotels

Andrew O’Callaghan, people director, Dishoom

Moderator:

Caroline Baldwin, deputy editor, The Caterer

This spring the government is increasing the minimum salary required for a skilled worker visa in the UK by almost 50%, from £26,200 to £38,700. With 95% of the visas issued to hospitality workers in the year to June 2023 falling short of the higher threshold, the move is expected to dramatically reduce the flow of overseas talent into the UK hospitality sector.

The rise to the minimum salary for skilled worker visas will have far-reaching effects on hospitality's labour shortage. Join this session to hear an update of the changes.

In this session you will learn:

• Most relevant changes in 2024 to date: new salary levels, higher fees, higher penalties for illegal working
• Minimising the impact of a Home Office inspection: mock audits, compliance, reporting and document retention
• Alternatives to sponsored skilled workers: Positive changes to the Youth Mobility scheme, student working hours allowances, postgraduates, ancestry, family visas and other dependants.

Speaker:

Marta Mendiondo, head of immigration, RWK Goodman

Can working in hospitality be bad for your health? Coach and consultant Stephen Macintosh explains how certain behavioural traits in hospitality can damage your health over time. The executive coach, who has had a career in a string of high-profile restaurants, will share his philosophy for guiding hospitality professionals towards their peak performance and tips to reshape your business into a more nurturing and resilient space.

Speaker:

Stephen Macintosh, hospitality coach & consultant, Stephen Macintosh Coaching

Analysis of 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 highlight organisations that are creating a happy, equitable workplace that offers a real sense of purpose for its people.

Speakers:

Vicky Freeman, director people & training, Thomas Franks

Jo Harley, co-founder, Korero

Liz McGivern, vice president of people and culture, Red Carnation Hotels

Moderator:

James Stagg, editor, The Caterer

Speakers:

Jo Harley, co-founder, Korero

Adele Oxberry, chief executive and founder, Umbrella Training

Moderator:

James Stagg, editor, The Caterer

James Stagg, editor, The Caterer