‘Exceptional’ Women to Watch in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure

WiHTL has revealed 2021’s ‘exceptional’ women to watch and role models of inclusion in the hospitality, travel and leisure (HTL) sectors.

Its third edition of Women to Watch & Role Models for Inclusion in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure Index 2021, in partnership with the MBS Group, showcases dozens of women distinguished for their commercial and operational excellence, industry/social impact, and commitment to the industry, despite challenging times. Earlier this year in June, research carried out by WiHTL in partnership with The MBS Group, found that despite the pandemic, the sector was still continuing to make positive progress towards increasing gender diversity at senior levels, as reported.

This year’s index also features 14 inspiring role models for inclusion – from any gender, from any level and function in the industry – who are working hard to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging within their organisations; and includes those who might have been a vocal champion for an aspect of diversity and inclusion.

INSPIRING WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY

By producing this index and researching the stories of dozens of women and role models across the sector, the findings show that the business imperative and competitive advantage from realising women’s and all underrepresented groups’ potential remain strong.

“For the third year since it was first launched, this year’s Index highlights the phenomenal female talent pool and role models for inclusion we have in the Hospitality, Travel and Leisure industry.  I am proud to share the success stories of the women featured who have achieved leadership, entrepreneurial, and commercial success whilst the role models for inclusion have made a wider contribution to their organisation in furthering inclusion and belonging,” stated Tea Colaianni, Founder and Chair of WiHTL. “The conversations have been invigorating, colourful and inspiring. My hope is that these stories will encourage the next generation of talent to enter and progress within this exciting and inclusive sector.” 

POWERFUL ROLE MODELS

Nick Mackenzie, CEO, Greene King, Debbie Hewitt MBE, Chair, The Restaurant Group and Sam Seigler, Director – Hospitality, Travel & Leisure, The MBS Group also shared why they believe profiling female leaders and role models for inclusion in the industry is important at the virtual launch event yesterday. 

 “It is so important we take time out to recognise and celebrate our sector’s role models and I want to congratulate everyone in this year’s Women to Watch and Role Models for Inclusion,” stated Green King’s Mackenzie. “Highlighting their achievements will inspire more people in our industry – not just those in a position to support positive change, but the next generation to achieve their full potential.”

CELEBRATING WOMEN MOVING THE D&I DIAL

This project was first launched in 2019 “to celebrate women in the sector and to encourage conversations around the importance of diversity and inclusion”, highlighted Sam Seigler, Director – Hospitality, Travel & Leisure at the MBS Group. “Since that time, we are proud to have highlighted more than 250 women across three indexes – hearing stories from a diverse range of individuals from across our industry. We have seen real progress on diversity in recent years but given this unprecedented period of uncertainty, it is more important than ever that it remains high on the agenda. By highlighting female leaders and celebrating those who are playing an active role in moving the dial we go some way to doing this.”

Captain Emma Henderson MBE, CEO of Project Wingman, also gave an uplifting speech. She shared how she managed to unite the aviation community at a difficult time to bring well-being to those who need it during the pandemic.  Thanks to Henderson’s  leadership, determination and generous heart, an incredible 6,500 airline crew answered the call for volunteers, from across every UK airline. They offered their time, knowledge and skills to serve and support NHS staff, providing vital well-being and mental health support. 

Awarded an MBE in January 2021, Henderson is continually acknowledged by her peers and the wider public for her outstanding contributions to the social good. She was featured in the inaugural Women to Watch in HTL Index in 2019.

2021’S WOMEN TO WATCH

Nominations for the Women to Watch & Role Models for Inclusion in HTL Index 2021 for the ‘Women to Watch’ category aims to seek out women like Henderson who stand out from their peer groups and excel in areas such as, leadership, commercial impact, entrepreneurialism and innovation, wider contribution to the sector and wider contribution to society. 

“This is an extraordinary group of women and their inclusion in this index is so richly deserved. Not only are they inspiring other colleagues in our sector through their remarkable leadership, they are also powerful role models, attracting talented individuals into our sector,” stated The Restaurant Group’s Hewitt. “It’s a privilege for me to have shared some of their journeys first hand and I’m excited to get to know this wider group and to see each of their careers develop.”

This year’s Women to Watch include (in alphabetical order):

• Koula Achillea, Finance Director, Oakman Group
• Amy Alexander, Business Development Manager, Greene King
• Rose Ashby, Executive Chef, Spring Restaurant
• Maria Ashton, Vice President ­ Head of Luxury Development, Northern Europe, Accor
• Penny Baldwin, Head of Commercial, Metropolitan Pub Company and Loch Fyne Restaurants (Greene King)
• Helen Brittain, Chief Information Officer, Genting Casinos UK
• Rebecca Brock, Commercial and Customer Director, Costa Coffee
• Sophie Buckle, Film Booking Director, ODEON
• Julie Centracchio, CFO, Boston Tea Party
• Gemma Chance, Head of Brand Purpose, Forest Holidays
• Katie Clipp, Transformation Director, Mainland Europe, Arriva
• Jane Cookson, Director of Operations, Aramark
• Amy Cridland, Director of Operations, McDonald’s UK&I
• Kim Daplyn, Guest Relations Manager, Scott Dunn
• Michelle de Graaf, Airline Captain, easyJet
• Frankie Deane, Head of Commercial, The Gym Group
• Julie Dillowway-Knapp, Vice President, Cabin, Virgin Atlantic
• Fiona Doherty, Managing Director (West Scotland), Stage Coach
• Nathalie Drew, Marketing Director, Club Med
• Stephanie Dufty, VP, Customer Marketing, Expedia Group
• Zoe Ebrey, Head of Media, Project Wingman/Training Captain, easyJet
• Vick Elsey, HR Director ­ Destination Food Brands, Greene King
• Stephanie Farrow, Head of Strategy & Insight, Pizza Express
• Rachel Fearon, Global Director of Sales, Firmdale Hotels
• Marion Geoffroy, Managing Director and Accountable Manager, Wizz Air
• Shona Gold, Group Director of Brand, Marketing & Communication, Vue
• Sharon Goldthorpe, Regional Operations Director, Aramark
• Joanna Hacking, Vice President – Finance, Deliveroo
• Lizi Hills, Head of Finance, Various Eateries
• Jane Howkins, Head of Talent and Resourcing, Moto Hospitality
• Miranda Jones, People Director, Everyman Group
• Nicola Jong, Senior Director Customer Engagement EMEA & APAC, Hilton Supply Management, Hilton
• Sally King, Head of Internal Audit, Whitbread
• Nicola Maisuria, Health, safety, Security Director, Merlin
• Nicola Marshall, People Director, Welcome Break
• Brittany Mayer-Schuler, Vice President of Legal Affairs/General Counsel, Elior North America
• Jenny McGowan, Head of RM Strategy & Performance, Virgin Atlantic
• Jacqui McManus, People Director, The Restaurant Group
• Nicola McMullen, Aviation Director, Leeds Bradford Airport
• Sarah Miles, Chief People Officer, Travelopia
• Rebecca Mills, Deputy General Counsel, easyJet
• Meera Mittel, Director, Editions at Deliveroo
• Yasmin Mukhida, Head of Brand Marketing, Premier Inn Brands
• Marnie Munns, Airline Captain, easyJet
• Kirsten Penny, Head of Trading & Supply Chain, Welcome Break
• Joanna Phillips, Chief People Officer, Carnival
• Naomi Robinson, Head of Business Management & Planning, IAG Cargo
• Nikki Rogers, Retail Director, Moto Hospitality
• Rosa Sanchez Olmos, Finance Director, Elior
• Deirdre Saunders, Divisional Director, Sodexo
• Serena Shah, Global Strategy Manager, InterContinental Hotels Group
• Dominique Sidley, Global Trade Strategy Director, Merlin Entertainments
• Claire Small, Director of Innovation, Elior
• Dr Nilsun Tumer, Senior Development Manager – Turkey, InterContinental Hotels Group
• Leanne Turk, Lead Development Chef, Compass Group UK & Ireland
• Kim Van Campfort, Senior Brand Commercial Director, EMEA, Hilton
• Trudi Van Niekerk, Chief Operations Officer, Nando’s
• Sharon Vye-Parminter, Health, Safety and Environmental Director, Stagecoach
• Louise Wardle, Vice President International Marketing, Subway
• Aoife Wycherley, Head of Supply Chain & Head of Food Procurement, Sodexo
• Inbar Zilberman, Chief Corporate & Legal Officer, PPHE Hotel Group

ROLE MODELS FOR INCLUSION

The 14 Role Model leaders who are moving the dial on diversity and inclusion, include:

• Anna Appleby, Head of Loyalty Products and Services, IAG Loyalty
• Yasmin Brant, Cinema Manager, ODEON
• Matt Case, Regional Operations Manager, Whitbread
• Donna Catley, Chief People Officer, Compass Group UK & Ireland
• Kate Coyne, Senior Manager, Global Consumer GTM & Gender Equality Committee Member, Deliveroo
• Ben Dias, Data Science and Analytics Director, easyJet
• Fiona Eastwood, Chief Operating Officer, Midway Attractions Group, Merlin Entertainments
• Steve Ellis, Director of Franchising, McDonald’s
• Estelle Hollingsworth, Chief People Officer, Virgin Atlantic
• Amanda Jamerson, Director, Hilton Honors Member, Experience Hilton
• David Melhuish, Chief Development & Sustainability Officer, The Gym Group
• Bebe Oladipo, Head Of IT, Azzurri Group
• Amanda Scott, Director of Talent, Learning and D&I, Compass Group UK and Ireland
• Carla Stockton Jones, UK Managing Director, Stagecoach

TOP ROLE MODEL ATTRIBUTES

This year’s Role Models for Inclusion have the following attributes:

• Are a role model for any aspect of inclusion for the organisation or community. 
• Are an active promoter and supporter of Inclusion initiatives in their organisation e.g. chairs or is an active member of an employee resource network group (ERG) or is a particularly proactive executive sponsor. 
• Supports external initiatives and campaigns that promote diversity and inclusion beyond their own organisation.
• Takes an active role at company events on the importance and value of having a diverse and inclusive culture.

You can find out more about the Women to Watch & Role Models for Inclusion in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure Index 2021 here. Check out last year’s Inspiring Women to Watch and Industry Advocates here.