Are you being Served? Join us 4/2/25 Brewdog Waterloo

speakers

Service brings together the greatest minds in hospitality. Together, they will provide insight and opinion based on our four discovery zones, supported by latest technology solutions
meet speakers
speaker

Holly Jack

Managing Director

Social Pantry

Holly has spent over 15 years working in the hospitality industry. 7 years of Holly's career was spent as Head of Openings for Carluccio’s, overseeing the opening of over 25 restaurants across the world. More recently, Holly worked as Head of Operations for Deliciously Ella, opening 3 sites and executing all events, product launches and trade shows before joining Social Pantry in 2019.
speaker

Antonia Lallement

Sales & Marketing Manager

Nells Pizza

Antonia is a seasoned sales & marketing lead with 15 years experience in the sector. She joined Manchester’s favourite indie group Common & Co in 2022 to take hold of the Nell’s NY Pizza & Bar brand as they gear up for regional expansion.
speaker

Trudi Parr

Head of People and Development

Mollie's

Accomplished and people-focused professional with 15+ year of experience in talent management, communication, engagement, performance management, client retention, business operations, and customer service delivery.
speaker

Holly Hilton

Marketing Director, Board Member

Market Place UK

Holly Hilton is the Marketing Director for Market Place and started with the company in September 2023. An innovative, outcome-oriented, digital marketing professional with over 15 years’ experience managing promotions, campaigns, and creative content across the retail, leisure, and gastronomy industries. Holly has a strong background in data analysis and price establishment, using this skill as the foundation for creative marketing solutions to drive footfall.
speaker

Mariam French

Marketing Director

Leon

Mariam French is the Marketing Director at Lyon Restaurants. With over 13 years of experience in the industry, Mariam has a deep understanding of marketing and product development. She started her own restaurant and has firsthand experience of the challenges and hustle involved in running a restaurant. At Lyon, Mariam has been instrumental in implementing digital ordering and launching their native app. She is passionate about creating a positive guest experience and finding innovative ways to enhance the brand's digital strategy.
speaker

Tommy Giraux

Head Of Systems

Honest Burger

With over 17 years of experience in Hospitality and 4 years as the Head of Projects at Honest Burgers, Tommy is passionate about leveraging technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency, improve guest experiences, and drive business growth. Tommy has a strong background in operations, management, tech partner sourcing and relations, EPOS, menu management, F&B, online ordering platforms, integrations, tronc and payroll, HRIS, rota and forecast tools, multi-unit management, and business development. As the Head of Projects, Tommy leads the strategic direction and implementation of innovative restaurant technologies across various locations. Collaborating with senior management and cross-functional teams, Tommy identifies business needs and opportunities, evaluates and selects tech solutions, manages tech partner relationships, oversees the successful integration and utilization of tech solutions, and monitors and optimizes performance and user experience. Tommy also provides training and support to employees, ensuring they are equipped to use the technology solutions efficiently.
speaker

Olivia Reid

Hospitality Director of Food / Hospitality and FoodHall Consultant

Market Halls

As the Hospitality Director of Food and Beverage at Market Halls, I lead the development and expansion of the food brands portfolio and the food offering in our foodhall. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant sector, I have a vast pool of knowledge, contacts, and enthusiasm to help food enterprises grow and thrive. I also have a strong background in marketing communications, new business development, and social networking, which I leverage to raise the profile, tell the story, and attract customers to our eco-friendly and high-quality food venues. I am passionate about creating dynamic, flexible, and engaging places that reflect modern consumer trends, adapt to changing tastes, and reinvigorate locations and communities.
speaker

Adam Howard MIH

General Manager Bristol

Mollie's

Mollie’s recruited Adam Howard as a diner manager for the opening of its second site in 2021 and neither side has looked back. By 2022, thanks to his adept management skills, he had been promoted to general manager and now oversees a team of 102 across the diner and the 123-bedroom motel. In this role, Howard has demonstrated impressive revenue management across the whole site, resulting in Mollie’s Bristol achieving a robust boost in average daily rate, occupancy rates and average spend per guest, generating more than £5.6m in revenue in 2023. Howard has also positioned the business as a leader in delivering guest experiences. With nearly 2,500 customer reviews, Mollie’s Bristol registers an impressive average rating of 4.62/5 across all channels. A Level 2 qualified mental health first-aider, Howard’s empathetic management style has had an impact on the team, as reflected in the 98% employee engagement rate. In the recent staff survey, his creation of a positive work culture saw employee satisfaction rise by 15%, with 87% saying they feel Mollie’s cares about them. Similarly, his skill in nurturing talent has led to the promotion of 15 employees in the past year, resulting in 84% of the team expressing a desire to stay and grow at Mollie’s. And 95% of Howard’s team believe Mollie’s embraces diversity and inclusion, thanks to his inclusive leadership style, which has created a supportive environment – all of which has affected the retention rate, which is around 90%. As a member of the Bristol Hoteliers’ Association, Howard contributes his expertise and time to benefit the broader hospitality community.
speaker

Stephanie Freeman

General Manager Oxford

Mollie's

Stephanie Freeman joined the Mollie’s Bristol team in 2021, starting out as floor manager. She swiftly ascended to diner manager, helping the venue climb to first place on review site TripAdvisor. Last year, Stephanie moved to Mollie’s Oxford to take up the role of general manager. She brings 10 years’ experience in the industry to her latest role, having previously enjoyed positions at renowned hospitality groups including Elite Hotels, IHG and Hilton. Stephanie’s efforts were previously recognised when she was named as the Inspirational Leader of the Year at the 2023 HR in Hospitality awards.
speaker

Tom James

Managing Director

Bills

Tom James is an experienced hospitality professional with a proven track record in operations leadership and brand development. Currently the Managing Director at Bill’s Restaurants, he has a strong background in creating and executing strategic plans that enhance guest experiences and drive business growth. His expertise spans brand creation, new openings, financial strategy, and team training. With previous roles at Harbour Hotels, Coppa Club, and Jamie’s Italian, Tom is known for his ability to build effective teams and optimise operations in dynamic and challenging environments. A Clifton College graduate, he is passionate about fostering talent and innovation in the hospitality industry.
speaker

Nicolas Gaillot

Chief Operating Officer

Paris Baguette

Nico is the COO at Paris Baguette.Born from a love of bread and a passion for quality, we are an international, company-owned and franchised fast-casual bakery-café founded in 1988, specializing in both French and Asian-inspired goods. In addition to cakes, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and signature coffee & tea, we offer a unique bakery and café experience to thousands of guests daily. Currently, we have over 4,000 locations worldwide, satisfying cravings and taste buds of all ages and backgrounds. Today, we invite you to become part of our storied history. No pressure. Apply to join a talented, diverse, collaborative, and highly competitive team—a collection of individuals united by a desire to have fun and with a passion to succeed. We work hard to bring world-class product and guest experience to our customers. And with your help, we’ll continue with that mission!
speaker

Mark Selby

Co-Founder & CEO

Wahaca

After a MasterChef win and time spent in Mexico, our co-founders, Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby’s desire to prove to the UK just how vibrant and delicious Mexican food is began. In 2007, Wahaca was born to do just that. ​ The first Wahaca was opened in Covent Garden by Tommi and and Mark, and they continue to write the story today. ​ Today, we have a family of 13 restaurants, each with their own unique design and our Wahaca teams ready to serve you up a taste of Mexican sunshine. ​
speaker

Steve Groucott

Founder & Owner

The Cornish Bakery

Steve Groucott, Founder and Owner of The Cornish Bakery, has guided the company to become the UK’s leading independent, high-end bakery, with over 50 locations nationwide. The Cornish Bakery has consistently chosen unconventional paths, identifying opportunities where others did not. Over the past decade, while the high street became increasingly competitive and expensive, the company strategically targeted holiday hotspots with the right market fit. This approach has proven highly successful, especially during the pandemic. Additionally, The Cornish Bakery has mastered creating an emotional connection with the ‘Cornwall state of mind,’ appealing to customers seeking unique, niche experiences. As Cornwall’s popularity grows, so does the success of The Cornish Bakery.
speaker

Darren Sweetland

Managing Director

Mollie's

Darren is the Managing Director of Mollie's Motel. The former CFO at Soho House & Tesco, Darren now plans to scale this wonderful concept with his team.

speakers

Synapse brings together some of the most distinguished and accomplished experts in the field of AI, who will share their insights, experiences, and perspectives on the latest advances and ethical implications of AI technology.
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speaker

ken maskall

PROFESSOR – AI ETHICS, STANDFORD UNIVERSITY

Ken Maskall is a renowned AI Ethics leader with over 15 years of experience in the artificial intelligence domain. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford University and has authored numerous publications on AI's ethical implications and responsible development. As the founder of the Responsible AI Institute, Ken has been instrumental in shaping global AI policy and promoting the adoption of ethical guidelines across industries.

A frequent keynote speaker at international conferences, Ken is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and raising awareness about the social impact of AI technology.
speaker

Maria vasquez

Director of AI Ethics and Governance at neuratech

Maria Vasquez is a leading AI ethicist and researcher who has been at the forefront of shaping ethical frameworks for AI development and deployment. She holds a PhD in Philosophy and has authored several influential publications on AI ethics and governance. Currently, she serves as a consultant to several leading AI companies and advises governments and international organizations on AI policy and ethics. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards and fellowships, including the AI Ethics Pioneer Award from the AI Ethics Institute. Maria is a frequent speaker at international conferences and has been featured in several media outlets for her contributions to the field of AI ethics. She is passionate about promoting responsible and inclusive AI development that benefits society as a whole.
speaker

arnold schulz

founder and CEO of InsightMind

Arnold Schulz is a technology entrepreneur and AI strategist who has a proven track record in driving innovation and transformational change in the industry. He is the founder and CEO of InsightMind, a company that provides AI-powered solutions to businesses across various sectors. Arnold holds a degree in Computer Science and has over 15 years of experience in developing and deploying AI technology. He has been recognized for his work with several awards and is a frequent speaker at international conferences on AI and innovation. Arnold is passionate about leveraging AI to solve complex business challenges and drive social impact. He is also an advocate for ethical and responsible AI development that promotes transparency, fairness, and accountability.

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february 4th
brewdog, waterloo
london