Robin Sheppard co-founded Bespoke Hotel Management in 2000 and has grown the group’s portfolio to now own or manage an eclectic mix of 170+ properties.

A former Chair of the Institute of Hospitality, Robin has won a plethora of awards, including the Queens Award to industry for export achievement, ‘Hotel of the Year’ four times, Egon Ronay Stars, RAC Blue Ribbons, Michelin Stars and many AA Rosettes.

Now Chair for Tourism – All Party Parliamentary Group for International Trade and Investment, Ufi Ibrahim is the former Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA), the national trade association for the hospitality and tourism industry, representing more than 40,000 businesses across the UK. She spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives including; the establishment of the Tourism Industry Council, the Agenda ‘300,000 Jobs by 2020’, The Big Hospitality Conversation and The Hospitality & Tourism Summit.

Michael has been Managing Director of Harbour Hotels for eight years and boasts a remarkable track record of successful hotel openings having led the group during the acquisition and launch of Brighton, Bristol,  Chichester, Guildford, Fowey, Richmond,  Padstow, Sidmouth, Southampton and St  Ives, and more recently Harbour Beach Club Hotel & Spa. Michael’s extensive record in the hospitality sector also includes 13 years working with the reputable Hotel du Vin Group, holding several management and operational positions, including the position of Brand Director. Michael has also held hotel management positions including Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa and is well known for managing hotels to an exceptional standard.

Shelley has been working in the voluntary sector since 2001 and in 2015 embarked on a new challenge; becoming the Founder and CEO of Havering Volunteer Centre (HVC). HVC have now on-boarded more than 4000 people as volunteers, supported over 400 voluntary and community organisations deliver their services and  assisted 315 people to secure paid employment.

Shelley is a true champion of volunteers and the voluntary sector continues to shine a light on not only the importance of having a strong thriving voluntary sector but a strong, community-driven Volunteer Centres.

Andrew Stembridge is Executive Director of Iconic Luxury Hotels, a small but exceptional collection of some of the UK’s most notable hotels, including Chewton Glen, Cliveden House, The Lygon Arms, 11 Cadogan Gardens, The Mayfair Townhouse and most recently The Chelsea Townhouse. He was awarded the highly coveted title of ‘Hotelier of the Year’ in 2010, simultaneously becoming Chairman of the Master Innholders, one of his legacy’s being the conception of the MI Aspiring Leaders’ Diploma. Andrew is a staunch supporter of industry charities, having masterminded several long-distance charity cycles. Always keen to develop the leaders of the future, he is an active mentor and a regular contributor at a variety of industry events.

Rohaise is an entrepreneur and joint owner of The Torridon, a 58-acre estate that consists of a 30-bedroom resort, a Gastronomy restaurant, a Brasserie restaurant, self-catering boathouse, and an outdoor adventure company. Employing 55 staff, Rohaise, a Qualified Coach and Group Trainer, is the People Director of the company with a focus on offering every member of the team an individually led training and development program. Rohaise also drives the design and excellence within the company and the company has won several industry and tourism awards including the prestigious Independent Hotel of the Year Award at the 2018 Cateys and Five Red Stars in 2019.

Kellie started her career in the hospitality industry with holiday centre operators Bourne Leisure. She joined De Vere hotels in 2002. In 2009 Kellie founded the De Vere academy of hospitality, a ground breaking initiative which saw almost 13,000 young people from the furthest part of the society trained and gain employment in the hospitality sector. In 2012 she was awarded two honouree fellowships and an MBE for services to the hospitality industry. Kellie joined the Executive Board of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts in early 2014, before setting up her own HR consultancy Rixon Associates. In 2019, she joined the supervisory board of the Institute of hospitality and in September 2020 was appointed as Chair.

Paul founded Starboard Hotels in 2006, which today is an award-winning owner and operator of world leading franchised hotel brands such as Ibis (Accor), Holiday Inn Express (IHG), Days Inn (Wyndham) and Best Western, situated throughout the UK. Hotels within the portfolio include the Ibis Gatwick, Plymouth, Leicester, Sheffield, and Birmingham Bordesley Circus, Best Western Plus Epping Forest, Best Western Carlton Hotel Blackpool, Days Inn Wetherby, Holiday Inn Express Greenock, Leeds Armouries, Burnley, Tamworth & Ramsgate.

Peter founded Focus Hotels Management with Alun Edwards in June 2007. Focus has established itself as one of the UK’s leading independent management companies with a high quality portfolio of branded and independent hotels across the UK.

“It’s such a simple and brilliant way for the hotel industry to make a difference and say ‘thank you’ to those who do so much for others.”

In 2005, Andy co-founded Legacy Hotels & Resorts as a dedicated full-service management company focused on 3 & 4-star hotels throughout the UK & Southern Spain. Today Legacy Hotels & Resorts owns or manages a little over 2,000 guestrooms across a portfolio of independent or branded assets. Andy is the independent non-executive director of a 200-bedroom hotel, exhibition and convention centre in Skopje, Macedonia and current Chairman for UK Hospitality – Heart of England.