Leadership
We spotlight leadership across the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, from executive appointments and strategic decision-making to crisis management and cultural change. This gathers our reporting on the individuals and teams shaping the direction of restaurant groups, pub chains, catering companies, and food-led businesses. Whether you’re a founder scaling up, an F&B director guiding brand evolution, or an operator navigating market headwinds, our leadership coverage explores what effective management looks like in a fast-changing industry, with real-world lessons for decision-makers at every level.
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Jul- 2025 -30 JulyCafes and Coffee Shops
Starbucks turnaround plan โahead of scheduleโ despite Q3 sales dip
Starbucks has said a turnaround plan for the group is โahead of scheduleโ, despite seeing global comparable store sales fall by 2% in its third quarter.ย This decline was driven by a 2% decline in comparable transactions, partially offset by a 1% increase in average ticket. In the quarter ended…
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25 JulyFeatures
Can leadership programmes solve hospitalityโs recruitment woes?
The UK hospitality sector is facing one of its most significant challenges in years. According to UKHospitality, the industry has shed 69,000 jobs since October 2024, a sharp reversal from the previous year when 18,000 roles were created in the same period. Job losses in the sector have been three…
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25 JulyPeople
Subway appoints Jonathan Fitzpatrick as CEO
Subway has appointed Jonathan Fitzpatrick as chief executive, following a global search. He will take up the role on 28 July, working with interim chief executive Carrie Walsh to oversee the transition. Fitzpatrick previously led Driven Brands, where he served as president and chief executive. During his tenure, he oversaw…
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22 JulyCatering Companies
Compass Q3 revenues jump 8.6% amid Vermaat Groep acquisition
Compass Group has revealed that its revenues increased 8.6% in the third quarter ended 30 June 2025, with revenue growth of 8.5% year-to-date. The company saw its revenues grow 96% in North America and 6.6% in its international markets in the third quarter. It comes as the company agreed to…
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9 JulyPeople
Wendyโs names interim CEO as Kirk Tanner departs for Hershey
Wendyโs has announced that president and chief executive Kirk Tanner will leave the fast-food chain on 18 July to take up the same role at the Hershey Company.ย The news has sparked a search for a permanent replacement by the board of directors. In the meantime, Ken Cook, chief financial…
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8 JulyCafes and Coffee Shops
Starbucks UK expands youth leadership scheme
Starbucks UK has launched the second round of its Accelerated Leadership Programme, aiming to fast-track more than 20 young people from entry level to store manager within 13 months. The scheme, which opened for applications yesterday (7 July) during Youth Employment Week, offers a management-level qualification that typically takes three…
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7 JulyTrade Associations
HOSPA appoints Chris Cowls as new chairman
The Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA) has announced the appointment of Chris Cowls MBE as its new chairman. Cowls has been a member of the HOSPA Board since 2020 and will take over the role from Bob Silk, who has served in the position since 2022. He began his career in…
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4 JulyFeatures
Loungefest: the day hospitality pauses to party
Ragley Hall was responsible for hosting โthe biggest bash in hospitalityโ โ Loungefest 2025 โ earlier this month. By mid-morning, coaches carrying Loungeโs whole staff had begun arriving from Durham, Southampton, West Wales, and nearly every town in between. For all of Loungersโ people to participate, nearly 300 venues โ…
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Jun- 2025 -26 JunePeople
Valiant Pub Company appoints new CEO amid leadership reshuffle
Valiant Pub Company has announced the appointment of chief operating officer Mark McGinty as chief executive, with co-founder Gerry Carroll moving to the role of executive chairman.ย The leadership change will take effect from 1 July. McGinty and Carroll launched Valiant in October 2021 in partnership with investment firm Njord…
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25 JuneFood and Drink
Oak View Group appoints new senior VP of operations
Oak View Group (OVG) has appointed Simon Hanna as its new senior vice president of operations. Hanna joins the company from Freemans Event Partners where he was COO, bringing over 15 years of experience in global hospitality, live events and venue operations. In his new role he will oversee the…
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