Managing Director

How I got here with Matt Thomas, managing director of Searcys restaurant, bar and catering group

How I Got Here: Matt Thomas

By James McAllister

Matt Thomas is managing director of Searcys, whose restaurant and catering portfolio includes the Champagne bar at London’s St Pancras station and Helix on the 39th floor of the Gherkin.

Bill's: All change at the top

Bill's restructures management team

By Mark Wingett

Bill’s Restaurants, the Richard Caring-­backed chain, has carried out a restructuring of its management team, which has seen chief operating officer Roberto Moretti and managing director Scott Macdonald leave the company with immediate effect. 

10 tips for successful al fresco dining

ASK THE EXPERTS

10 tips for successful al fresco dining

By Steven Pike

Steven Pike, managing director of guest experience management company HospitalityGEM, gives his top 10 tips to hospitality operators looking to make a success of their al fresco dining. 

Effective upselling can boost sales on the day and help you attract future business

Ask the experts

Top 10 tips for successful upselling

By Steven Pike

Upselling is the life blood of your business. It maximises average spend per head, increases your turnover, but most importantly, enhances the guest experience. Here, Steven Pike, managing director of HospitalityGEM, gives his top 10 tips for successful...

Hospitality brands are flagging behind supermarkets when it comes to loyalty schemes

Hospitality lags behind on loyalty

By Carina Perkins

Hospitality brands are falling behind retailers when it comes to loyalty schemes, according to a new survey.

The Hospitality Show returns in January

Hospitality Show 2015 preview

By Carina Perkins

In January, the Hospitality Show will return to the NEC Birmingham, with a packed programme to kickstart the industry’s 2015 calendar.

Being an owner-operator allows for complete control of a hotel, but can pose other challenges

#AHC2014: The pros and cons of being an owner-operator

By Melodie Michel

Being an owner-operator allows for complete control of a hotel, but can pose other challenges in terms of expansion and recruitment, according to speakers at the Annual Hotel Conference 2014.

ASK and Zizzi CEO

Steve Holmes becomes ASK and Zizzi CEO

By Mark Wingett

Steve Holmes, the current managing director of ASK Italian, is to step up to become chief executive of the Gondola Group-owned brand and its sister chain Zizzi, M&C Report has learnt.

Ex-Gaucho MD to launch new venture ‘M’

Ex-Gaucho MD to launch new venture ‘M’

By Mark Wingett

Martin Williams, who stepped down as managing director of Gaucho earlier this month, plans to launch a new restaurant venture called M in London later this year.

The new team at Union Hanover Securities, which will be led by Eric Jafari (centre)

Union Hanover eyes £1bn hotel portfolio

By Luke Nicholls

Real estate investment and hotel development firm Union Hanover Securities has secured a major equity injection which will allow it to grow its £350m portfolio to over £1bn over the next five years.

The deal will see Allegra Foodservice complement William Reed's existing businesses

WRBM acquires Allegra Foodservice

By Luke Nicholls

BigHospitality’s owner, William Reed Business Media (WRBM), has bought the Allegra Foodservice business – formerly a division of Allegra Strategies. 

(L-R): Stefanie McCormack (Merlin Entertainment); Woman of the Year award-winner Margot Slattery; and the night’s host Matt Dawson

Women 1st Shine Awards 2013 winners and Top 100 Club inductees revealed

By Luke Nicholls

Sodexo, Dukes St. James London and Be At One Cocktail Bars were among the businesses represented by winners of the Women 1st Shine Awards, which recognises the outstanding achievements of women working in the UK’s hospitality, passenger transport, travel...

TRI Hospitality Consulting merges with CBRE Hotels EMEA

TRI Hospitality Consulting merges with CBRE Hotels EMEA

By Emma Eversham

Hotel consultancy practice TRI Hospitality Consulting has joined CBRE Hotels EMEA, a move designed to 'significantly extend' both companies' capabilities in professional services, investment advisory, feasibility studies and operational...

NRB Top 50 2013 list

Simon Rogan and San Carlo Group among winners in NRB Top 50 Awards

By Emma Eversham

Chef Simon Rogan, Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester general manager Stephen Miles and San Carlo Group's Carlo and Marcello Distefano were awarded for their 'exceptional achievements' at a ceremony at the Northern Bar & Restaurant Show...

Rupert Clevely, who founded Geronimo Inns in 1995, is to stand down as its managing director as Young's prepares to expand the business

Rupert Clevely steps down as Geronimo Inns managing director

By Peter Ruddick

Young's has announced Rupert Clevely is to stand down as the managing director of Geronimo Inns and will take up a non-executive role with the brewer and pubco which plans to open three or four new Geronimo pubs this year.

The Hospitality Show 2013 will showcase an array of catering equipment, interior design, tableware and technology (image from the 2011 event)

The Hospitality Show 2013 preview

By Luke Nicholls

The hospitality industry’s 2013 events calendar kicks off with one of the UK’s largest foodservice and hospitality exhibitions later this month as over 350 exhibitors descend upon the NEC Birmingham for The Hospitality Show 2013.

BHA Summit: Hilton, Accor, Whitbread, IHG on hospitality

What one change would most benefit the hospitality industry?

By Peter Ruddick

At the first ever British Hospitality Association (BHA) Summit earlier this month there was widespread discussion on what the industry and the Government should be doing to boost the hospitality sector - but what do the experts think?

Budget 2012: The restaurant industry's reaction

Budget 2012: The restaurant industry's reaction

By Emma Eversham

Members of the restaurant industry have expressed their disappointment at the Chancellor's lack of help for the sector in today's Budget, saying his claim that he will 'unashamedly back business' means nothing if he doesn't cut...

All 162 Little Chef restaurants will be fitted with energy efficient illuminated lighting and digitally-printed ceiling tiles

Little Chef to revamp brand with new signage

By Luke Nicholls

Roadside restaurant chain Little Chef is to roll out a completely new range of internal and external signage across all of its 162 sites over the next four years.

Loungers’ expansion pushes turnover up 55%

Loungers’ expansion pushes turnover up 55%

By Emma Eversham

Loungers, the Bristol-based café, bar and restaurant group, saw turnover grow 55 per cent to almost £11m last year after adding an extra four sites to its estate.

Denny’s introduces comfortable footwear range

Denny’s introduces comfortable footwear range

By Becky Paskin

Denny’s Uniforms has launched a new range of comfortable, hardwearing footwear for both front and back of house staff, including anti-static and washable shoes.

Hospitality's women triumph at Shine Awards 2010

Hospitality's women triumph at Shine Awards 2010

By Emma Eversham

Eleven women working in hospitality, travel and tourism have been recognised for their 'extraordinary contribution' to the industry, their businesses and staff at the sixth Shine Awards

Beat the crunch: tips to ride the recession

Beat the crunch: tips to ride the recession

By Emma Eversham

BigHospitality reveals Restaurant magazines Thrifty 50 - top money-saving tips from industry experts to help businesses cut costs, make money and survive the downturn.