Andrew Strugnell
Andrew Strugnell – Head of Sales, Arc Inspirations
With over 15 years’ experience in hospitality, Andrew Strugnell has spent the last decade driving sales, growth and national expansion at Arc Inspirations. As Head of Sales, he helps lead the commercial strategy for a growing estate of 18 venues stretching from London to Edinburgh.
With entertainment and atmosphere at the heart of Arc Inspirations’ brands, Andrew is passionate about creating experiences that add genuine value for customers while delivering a clear commercial return. His focus is on turning entertainment into a revenue driver, creating compelling reasons to visit, increasing spend and maximising sales in an increasingly competitive market.
Stephanie Molyneaux
Stephanie Molyneaux D.B.A. (Hon.) is an award-winning apprenticeship programme lead and recipient of an Honorary Doctorate recognising her exceptional leadership, innovation and contribution to apprenticeship development and skills progression.
With extensive experience, Stephanie has built strong partnerships across training, education and professional bodies, ensuring apprenticeship pathways evolve with industry needs while delivering social value. A passionate advocate for social mobility, inclusive careers and mentoring, she is a respected voice in hospitality apprenticeships and leadership development. Through her dedication to learners, Stephanie is shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders and driving positive change across the sector.
Kate Nicholls
Kate Nicholls OBE is the full-time Chair of UKHospitality, the powerful voice representing the broad hospitality sector, and leads its lobbying, campaigning and media work. Kate was previously its CEO for seven years, since its inception in 2018. Kate previously worked as CEO and Strategic Affairs Director of the Association of Licenced Multiple Retailers (ALMR).
Kate sits on the Government’s Tourism, Hospitality, and Food & Drink Sector Councils, where she represents the wider hospitality and tourism sector. As a passionate advocate for inclusivity in hospitality, Kate is also the Government’s first Disability Ambassador for hospitality.
Kate is the Chair of the Institute of Licensing and ACC Liverpool, a board member of Best Bar None, and a trustee of Hospitality Action and Springboard. She has previously chaired the Tourism Alliance, London Night-time Commission, and London Tourism Recovery Board.
Clare Belford
Clare Belford is an Early Careers & Apprenticeships Business Partner at Sodexo UK & Ireland who is passionate about helping young people access opportunities they may never have thought possible. A champion of social mobility, she works across the business and wider industry to encourage more people to give young talent a chance. Whether it's apprenticeships, work experience, or employability programmes, Clare believes that potential exists everywhere and that the right opportunity can change a life. Her focus is always on people, creating pathways, building confidence, and helping others succeed.
Thom Elliot
Thom started Pizza Pilgrims on a market stall in Soho with his brother James in 2012. The company has since grown to a 30 strong national pizzeria brand, with its first opening in Germany slated for late 2026.
Nisha Katona
Nisha Katona is the Founder of Mowgli Street Food restaurants and founder of the Mowgli Trust charity.
Founded in 2014, Nisha used all her savings to open the first Mowgli Street Food restaurant in the city of Liverpool. Since giving up the security of a 20 year career as a full time Barrister, Nisha has grown Mowgli Street Food to 26 restaurants across the nation with an aim to continue growing restaurants and jobs in order to fulfil the mission of Mowgli: to enrich lives in the cites she goes to.
Mowgli Street Food is recognised as one of the nation’s fastest growing companies according to The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 and was awarded by them, Best Management Team.
Nisha received an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours List for services in the Food Industry.
Nisha is also the author of 7 cookbooks: The Spice Tree, The Mowgli Cookbook, Pimp My Rice and The 30 Minute Mowgli, Meat Free Mowgli. Bold and The Curry Bible. She has also worked extensively as a business and food expert, on several projects across the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 and Radio 4
As founder and chair of The Mowgli Trust, the charitable limb of the restaurant, Nisha selects and supports local and world charities, raising almost ÂŁ3million to help with their aims.
Rebecca Deaville
Rebecca Deaville BA (Hons), CIM is Group Marketing Manager at Brewhouse & Kitchen, with more than 15 years' experience delivering commercial growth across hospitality, events, tourism and leisure sectors. Having progressed through senior sales, events and marketing leadership roles, she has led revenue-driving strategies, brand development, digital transformation projects and guest experience innovation across a national pub estate. Rebecca combines a strong commercial focus with expertise in marketing, customer engagement and operational excellence, and is passionate about helping hospitality businesses unlock growth through smarter marketing, memorable experiences and customer-led thinking.
Gemma Glasson
Gemma began her career in Deal Advisory, working in EY and KPMG, advising clients across the Consumer space. She joined Wahaca in 2017 and has worked in a number of roles from Commercial and Food to leading Wahaca’s COVID response as COO. She was appointed Managing Director in 2022 and CEO in 2026.
Peter Martin
Peter Martin is one of the most authoritative and influential communicators and community-builders in the eating and drinking out sector, with over 40 years experience as entrepreneur, columnist, editor, media owner, market
analyst and board adviser.
He is executive director and co-founder of Peach 20/20 and Atlantic Club, the exclusive international network for senior leaders and entrepreneurs from the out-of-market.
He is a trustee of the Tim Bacon Foundation and is an ambassador for the Only A Pavement Away charity.