Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street

The Story of... The Angry Gardener

What do luxury hotels, practical jokes, Palm Beach, New York, Beijing, Japan, Hong Kong, a very angry gardener and a 30cm ruler have in common?

Yep, this week's guest Rory Slater, Managing Director for COMO Hotels in London.

And trust me...

Some of these stories are almost too good to be true.

Rory's journey started with a love of food, inspired by his mum's Cordon Bleu cooking, before joining the legendary Savoy Group management programme with dreams of becoming a chef.

...

Six years ago, Robert Richardson joined me on Hospitality Meets for the very first time.

Back then, he was a hotel General Manager with a passion for people, wondering what the next chapter might look like.

Neither of us could have predicted what came next.

Fast forward six years, and Robert returns to the show as CEO of the Institute of Hospitality, leading a global professional body with more than 17,000 members, overseeing record membership growth, driving the Institute's Charter ambition, and helping shape the future of our industry.

It's amazing what...

What do a biochemist, a Chinese mansion house, Heathrow Airport, 250 burger restaurants, a pub turnaround, student accommodation, retirement living, and more than a few bottles of Mao Tai have in common?

This week's guest... Duncan Garrood.

And trust me...

You're going to want to hear this one.

Duncan's career began in a laboratory as a scientist with a PhD in Biochemistry.

It then took him through Unilever, a decade living in China, Heathrow Airport, the Middle East, Punch Taverns, Bill's Restaurants, family entertainment, student accommodation, and now Riverstone Living.<...

What do a kitchen porter, a Swedish adventure, a hotel fire, a freezing swimming pool, and the CEO of one of Britain's most iconic hotel groups have in common?

This week's guest is John Badley, CEO of Andrew Brownsword Hotels.

Today, John oversees a collection of some of the UK's most beautiful and historic hotels.

But his story starts somewhere much humbler.

A teenage job sweeping a car park for £10, a desperate desire to escape the cold, and a sister who eventually gave in and let him become a kitchen porter.

What do dough balls, coffee, Covid crisis meetings, global expansion, and one very determined mum have in common?

This week's guest is Caroline Ottoy, Managing Director of WatchHouse.

Today, WatchHouse is one of the most exciting hospitality brands on the planet, with 29 locations across the UK, USA and Dubai, and ambitious plans to reach 100 sites globally over the next few years.

But Caroline's journey started in a very different place.

A teenager destined for a science degree, a year spent slightly losing her way, and a mum who effectively packed her...

What do holiday parks, imposter syndrome, accidental career sabotage, and one of the UK's most respected hospitality leaders have in common?

This week's guest is Barrie Robinson, National Operations Director at Parkdean Resorts and Chair of the newly launched North Star Competitive Career Accelerator.

Barrie's journey into hospitality wasn't exactly traditional.

After lasting just six weeks at university ("reading newspapers and pretending to be a tree" wasn't quite the career path he'd envisioned), he started work as a glass collector in his local pub.

Fast forward a few decades and he's...

This week I sat down with Jonny Bramwell, Regional Head of Operations for Rosa’s Thai — a man responsible for 22 restaurants, thousands of miles of motorway, and quite possibly the most unexpectedly philosophical conversation we’ve had on Hospitality Meets in a while.

What starts as a chat about pubs, restaurants and leadership quickly becomes a brilliant conversation about burnout, ambition, balance, accidental life lessons, and why sometimes the best thing that can happen to your career… is getting sacked from your first hospitality job.

There are stories of legendary £4.50 breakfasts, pub landlords who accidentally become li...

This week I sat down with Adam Hamadache, founder of Formula and host of the Hotel Growth Podcast, a man who has spent the last 15 years helping hotels figure out how to grow in an industry that never seems to sit still for more than five minutes.

What followed was part hospitality strategy masterclass, part therapy session for modern business owners, and part beautifully chaotic conversation about AI, audience-less keynote speeches, and why hiring experts only to tell them exactly what to do might be “the definition of madness.”

From working in a shoe shop duri...

This week, I sat down with Gareth Rees, and this is one of those conversations that feels properly important.

Not just for hospitality… but for how we think about people, performance, and what “doing a good job” actually means

Gareth now runs ADHospitalityD, with a mission to educate the industry on neurodiversity, breaking down misconceptions, supporting individuals, and helping businesses create environments where people can genuinely thrive.

But his story starts where many of ours do…

On the floor

In this episode, Gareth and I get into…

This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil sits down with another Phil, that being Phil Andreopoulos, CEO of YOTEL, for a conversation that starts with washing pots in restaurants… and somehow ends with power naps, gorilla trekking, hotel disruption and leadership philosophy.

Inspired by a first class airline cabin and created by the founder of YO! Sushi, YOTEL has always challenged the “that’s just how hotels work” mentality, and this episode dives into exactly why.

Along the way, the two Phils discuss:

This week, I sat down with the brilliant Guy Freedman, Hotel Director at The Pig & The Pig in the Wall, and honestly, this one felt like a giant exhale.

A conversation about leadership, yes.

Culture, absolutely.

But also… naked guests, rogue deer, flood rescues in a Land Rover, student days in a fudge kitchen, and why maybe fun has been unfairly underestimated as a serious business strategy.

Guy’s journey, from a self-confessed chatty teenager being redirected out of the kitchen and into front of house, to Hotel Director at The Pig...

This week, I sat down with the brilliant Basel Jabri, and this one’s got everything.

Global upbringing, accidental career pivots, iconic hotel brands, and a journey that goes from literally steering boats in Dubai… to leading people & culture across a luxury London hotel group.

And the best bit?

It all started with a dream that didn’t happen.

In this episode, Basel and I get into…

This week, I sat down with the brilliant Newton Fernandes - and this is one of those conversations that reminds you just how non-linear careers in hospitality can be.

From starting out as a journalist, to working in airline reservations, to quite literally being invited across the road into a hotel career… Newton’s journey spans continents, cultures, and some seriously big roles.

We’re talking global brand, marketing, and communications at a scale that’s hard to get your head around, but always grounded in one thing: understanding people.

In this episode, Newton a...

This week, I sat down with the brilliant Dawn Lister - and honestly, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get someone from the world of sales on the show.

And what an introduction to it this was.

From wanting to be an air stewardess at 10 years old, to building a 20+ year career in hotel sales, Dawn’s journey is packed with graft, growth, resilience… and a lot of persistence (some might call it “relentless follow-up” 😅).

Now Sales Director for B&B Hotels UK, Dawn brings a no-nonsense, people-first approach to an...

This week, I sat down with the brilliant Paul Hunter, and after nearly a year of trying to make it happen, we finally got the conversation in the can.

And it was worth the wait.

From early days in hospitality (and admittedly being a “bit of a mischievous lad”) to launching hotels across London, navigating redundancy during COVID with twin new borns, and now stepping into a brand new luxury estate role back in Yorkshire… Paul’s journey is packed with honesty, resilience, and a proper appreciation for the twists life throws your way.

We tal...

This week I sat down with the brilliant Gemma Glasson, Managing Director of Wahaca and one of those leaders whose journey reminds you that careers rarely move in straight lines… and thank God for that.

From starting out in the world of KPMG and Ernst & Young, to stepping into hospitality with a desire to have more impact, more energy, and a bit more colour in her working life, Gemma’s story is packed with intelligence, curiosity, self awareness, and the kind of warmth that makes you understand very quickly why she’s ended up where she is.

A...

What do you get when an introvert ends up running one of the most iconic hospitality resorts in the country?

A very good reminder that the loudest person in the room isn’t always the best leader

This week, after what feels like about 17 years of trying to line up diaries, I finally sat down with the legend that is Chris Eigelaar, Managing Director of The Belfry Hotel & Resort.

Now, if you know The Belfry, you’ll know it’s not exactly a sleepy little B&B with a bowl of mints on recept...

Show your support for Hospitality Sector Letter to the Chancellor

What happens when two people who love a bit of unstructured behaviour get together for a structured conversation?

The answer?

Lots of unstructured conversation

This week I sat down with Conrad Brunton, founder of Tonic Talent, passionate hospitality advocate, charity champion, networking powerhouse… and a man who clearly believes that if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it properly.

Before we get into his journey. Conrad is seeking your help. If you have even a ti...

This week I sat down with the brilliant Ella de Beer co-founder of Electric Mayonnaise and one of those hospitality people whose career reminds you just how brilliantly unpredictable this industry can be.

From waitressing at 14 in South Africa (while telling everyone she was 16… obviously), to opening restaurants, running pubs, building multi-site businesses, leading people functions at brands like Ottolenghi & MJMK and now helping shape the next generation of hospitality leaders, Ella’s story is packed with graft, curiosity, and a healthy dose of “why not give that a go?”

Along the way there are some abs...

Still Building

Born in a hotel, thrown out of university

Built the UK’s biggest hospitality recruitment business, Lost control of it, Lost his driving licence, Broke his back.

You'd think this was a lesson in how not to do it?

But far from it!

This week on Hospitality Meets, I sit down with Roddy Watt, recruitment pioneer, hotel strategist, owner of one almighty black book and living proof that setbacks are not full stops, they’re commas.

In This Episode

From Baptism of Fire to Michelin Leadership

This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil sits down with Douglas Balish - Executive Chef and Director at Grove of Narberth, Hotel Chef of the Year, and a man shaped by some of the toughest kitchens in the business.

From washing dishes in Ayrshire…

To getting “pans thrown at his head”

To learning to run in kitchens where nobody walked…

To leading his own Michelin starred brigade

And all of the lessons that come with that

This is a candid e...

Building a Regenerative Farm Stay

This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil sits down with Caitlin Owens, Managing Director and co-owner of Fowlescombe Farm, a luxury farm stay in Devon built on regenerative farming principles.

What started as a family meat farm became a pub

What started as a consulting career became a hospitality adventure.

What started as “how hard can it be?” became… chlorine spraying out of beer lines.

This episode is about naivety, chaos, regenerative farming, and why hospitality might just be the most beautifully human industry of them a...

Why Understanding Drives Performance

This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil is joined by Will Fraser, co-founder of Pineapple, founder of 100 & First, and former professional rugby player.

What begins as a conversation about people data quickly becomes something deeper, a clear eyed look at why teams struggle, why talent alone isn’t enough, and why most performance problems come down to misunderstanding, not ability.

This is a calm, thoughtful episode about clarity, context, and why better conversations beat better strategies.

In This Episode

Prepare. To. Be. Happy.

Returning to Hospitality Meets, Klaudia Mitura - work psychologist, L&D leader at the Science Museum Group, host of The Happiness Challenge podcast, author of The Alphabet of Happiness, and an actual Certified Chief Happiness Officer (yes, really) delivers one of the most uplifting, honest, and quietly powerful conversations we’ve ever recorded.

This episode is not about toxic positivity, pretending everything’s fine, or slapping a smile on life’s messier moments.

It’s about science backed happiness, micro habits, curiosity, resilience, and learning how to live with the nois...

This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil sits down with Dulcie Swanston, bestselling author, executive coach, leadership trainer, neuroscience and psychology “magpie,” and one of the clearest thinkers you’ll ever meet in hospitality.

Dulcie’s career spans 23 years at Bass PLC / Mitchells & Butlers, senior HR leadership, graduate programme design, global executive coaching, and now running multiple businesses that all share one simple mission:

Make complicated things simple, and usable now!

From accidentally falling into hospitality after realising acting wasn’t for her… to becoming one of the most trusted leadership thinkers in the industry… th...

This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil sits down with Matt McCabe, Founder of Subu Connect - a platform created to bridge the gap between food and beverage suppliers and global buyers across airlines, foodservice and hospitality.

Matt’s story is one of curiosity, courage, accidental brilliance, and a lot of beautifully human learning along the way. From a 19-year-old Irish hotel management student taking a leap into a German kitchen… to buying food for prisons, parliaments and planes… to building his own tech platform from scratch - this is a masterclass in connection, leadership, humility and trust.

I...

This week, Phil sits down with Chetan Bhanot, Group General Manager of The Mandeville Hotel in Marylebone and Pendley Manor in Hertfordshire - two stunning properties he leads with equal parts humility, humour and impressive calm.

Chetan’s story spans 32 years in hospitality, from hotel school in India, to Hilton and InterContinental, to JW Marriott Mumbai’s first-ever opening, to London’s NH Hotels, Harrington Hall, and now a dual-property leadership role he’s held for nearly a decade. It’s a journey filled with learning, pressure, kindness - and the occasional guest who forgets where they left their...

To watch this episode, head to https://youtu.be/tMghGC2VZMo

This week, we’re in one of the stunning bedrooms at Corinthia London, talking to a man whose story genuinely feels like a film.

Simon Casson, now CEO of Corinthia Hotels and former President EMEA at Four Seasons, was once told at 15 that he was a failure, that his education was over, and that he should “learn to fix cars or join the army”

He went home devastated. His mum came back from a bar shift, wrapped her arms around him and said:<...

Every now and then, an episode arrives that contains everything we love about hospitality:

chaos, heart, humour, problem solving… and at least two stories involving naked guests.

This week Phil chats with James McComas FIH, General Manager of Eastwell Manor, part of the Champneys Group. At 6'5", James is one of the tallest men Phil knows — which, as it turns out, comes with unexpected job perks

But behind the laughter sits a deeply thoughtful leader with a wonderfully varied hospitality journey: from growing up on army bases and falling into hotels at 15, to adve...

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix hustle, humility, a bit of chaos, and a moment of pure stage-fright… this episode has you covered.

This week, I sat down with Tom James, Managing Director of Bill’s Restaurants, and a man whose career has taken him from glass collector to running iconic hospitality brands with a detour involving an incident with Jamie Oliver. Is that really his name?

it’s every bit as painful and glorious as it sounds.

But beyond the comedy gold, Tom brings serious insight on leadership, culture...

This week, we’re talking about something every hospitality person knows all too well: pain.

Back pain. Neck pain. Shoulder pain. “I’ve been on my feet for 14 hours” pain. But what if… most of it isn’t actually coming from your body?

Enter Gemma McFall (Gemma McFall – Pain Reprocessing Therapist)— Chronic Pain Recovery Coach, former hotel HR leader, Disney alum, and the only person whose first hospitality shift involved covering herself in six bowls of soup.

A true industry baptism. 😂

Gemma lived with debilitating chronic pain for ten years — through hotels, homeworking...

This week, I sat down with Jacu Strauss, Architect, Designer and Creative Director of Lore Group - the team behind iconic hotels like Sea Containers London, Pulitzer Amsterdam, Riggs Washington DC, Lyle, and 100 Shoreditch.

Jacu’s journey is extraordinary

From growing up in the Kalahari Desert, dreaming up imaginary worlds, teaching himself to draw and paint, and spending Christmases in his grandfather’s 20 room desert hotel… to studying architecture at the Bartlett, landing a role with Tom Dixon, designing Sea Containers having never done a hotel before, and ultimately shaping some of the most distinctive hotels...

This week, I sat down with Dan Barnes, Managing Director of Flourish Hospitality, a learning and development consultancy built on one simple idea: that every moment in hospitality is a chance to help someone grow.

Dan’s story is one of those brilliant hospitality journeys that started with polishing cutlery and pretending to be a grown-up in a suit and somehow led to building learning cultures across hotels, restaurants and private members’ clubs.

From Marriott to Edwardian Hotels, Caprice Holdings and now Flourish, Dan’s career has been a masterclass in curiosity, creativity, and learning the ha...

This week, I sat down in The Den at The Other House, South Kensington, with the wonderful Jo Morgan, owner of Meliora Consultancy Services, coach, advisor to Tech on Toast and all round powerhouse of positivity.

Jo’s journey is one of those you could never script. From becoming the youngest female GM in her company at 27, to running seven floating hotels for TUI Cruises, to heading up operations for The Other House and launching her own consultancy, Meliora (“the pursuit of the better”) her career reads like a masterclass in saying yes and figuring it out later...

This week, I sat down in person (yes, we went old school) with the brilliant Jakob Gowin, General Manager of the Meliá White House in London - and what a conversation this turned out to be.

From washing dishes at 13 to running a 581 bedroom hotel and 112 long-stay apartments (with residents who’ve lived there for 30+ years!), Jakob’s journey is packed with graft, heart, humility, and more than a few cracking stories - including the fact we recorded this episode in “The White House”. Sadly, neither of us bumped into the President… but we did fix some of the worl...

This week on Hospitality Meets, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the brilliant Edward Gallier (Edd), Head of Learning & Development at Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland and freshly minted Catey Award winner 2025

Edd’s career has been built on passion, purpose, and the odd bit of chaos (because what’s hospitality without it?). From wild award show mishaps to deep reflections on leadership and learning, this episode is a masterclass in how to stay grounded, laugh often, and never lose sight of what really matters.... people.

We talk about developing talent, the psychology of h...

Episode Summary

This week on Hospitality Meets, I’m joined by the brilliant Philip Steiner, Chief Operating Officer at Cycas Hospitality a man who’s spent his whole career planning for spontaneity (yes, it’s a thing).

From cleaning rooms to the C-suite, Philip’s journey is a joyful mix of graft, grit, and glorious chaos, proving that great leadership often comes down to knowing when not to turn up.

Our chat is packed with laughs and we chat about BBC blunders, linen truck disasters, diversity done right, and the art of stepping back so...

This week on Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the brilliant Phil Shelley — Senior Operational Manager at NHS England and Chair of the NHS Food Review. Phil is an exceptional hospitality leader and human being and was crowned Outstanding Achievement Award winner at the 2025 Foodservice Cateys, only last Friday.

Phil’s career is a masterclass in purpose driven leadership. From his early days in hotel kitchens to shaping the future of hospital food, he’s proof that hospitality is about so much more than service, it’s about care.

We talk about how hospitality thinking is trans...

Episode Summary

In this very special episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the incredible Maya Gilbert, hospitality lifer, dog lover, and now… coastal legend!

Maya recently completed a jaw dropping walk around the entire English coastline, that’s over 2,700 miles, to raise funds and awareness for Hospitality Action. With a £10 a day budget, a dodgy tent, and a heart full of purpose, she set off from Liverpool armed with nothing but determination, humour, and (possibly) too much stuff in her backpack.

What follows is a funny, moving, and downright inspiring conversation about...

Episode Summary:

In this heartwarming and hilariously honest episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the brilliant Abigail Tan, CEO of St Giles Hotels — a woman who’s equal parts rock star, rebel, and real-deal leader.

From dreams of fronting a band to running an international hotel group, Abigail’s journey is a masterclass in following your heart (and occasionally your vacuum cleaner).

Expect laughter, leadership lessons, and the occasional toilet paper obsession as Abigail opens up about imposter syndrome, resilience, kindness, and turning hospitality into a true force for good.

We c...