Hoteliers’ Voice

ROI in staff roundtable kent edition
Interview with James McComas - GM, Champneys Eastwell Manor
Another agile year unfolding
Predicting demand
Clashing of brands and audiences
Why working together is needed in Kent

Partner - HOSPA - Janel Clark, Succeeding at people
Professional development, keeping hospitality a people business, making a career from a service industry.
What courses are there?
What level of experience is needed?
How are learners supported?

POV - Nicola Phillips - Hospitality Action - How to support staff emotionally
What are the concerns of hospitality workers?
What type of management and support network is needed?
Where does Hospitality Action come in?

Engaging in schools and colleges

In this episode of the ROI in Staff roundtable (Kent Edition), we dive into the critical intersection of modern hospitality management, regional collaboration, and staff well-being. We begin with James McComas, GM at Champneys Eastwell Manor, who unpacks the realities of an "agile" year in the industry. James explores the challenges of predicting fluctuating demand and navigating the complex "clash of brands and audiences," ultimately advocating for stronger regional cooperation across Kent to navigate these shifting tides.
Transitioning to professional development, Janel Clark from HOSPA joins us to discuss "Succeeding at People." We examine how to keep the sector human-centric while creating clear, sustainable career paths within the service industry. Janel provides valuable insights into available educational courses, the experience levels required for advancement, and the support systems available for learners.
Finally, we address the human element of the industry with Nicola Phillips from Hospitality Action. This segment focuses on the emotional support systems necessary for a resilient workforce. Nicola highlights the specific concerns facing today’s hospitality workers and details the management networks required to support them. We conclude by looking at the importance of actively engaging schools and colleges to foster the next generation of hospitality talent - and initiatives some hoteliers are taking to connect with staff on a deeper more meaningful level.

Interview with Harpreet Saluja: A year in making
Owner shares his personal experience of taking over Kings Court Hotel, as we dive into determining investment priorities, building out a tech change and deciphering today’s market challenges

20 years ago Harpreet Singh Saluja lands in the UK with a few quid to his name and takes on his first job in hospitality as a pot washer. Today, he owns several businesses, and a year on from taking on Kings Court Hotel in Alcester by Stratford Upon Avon, he explains the challenges of taking on a run-down family business, investing in tech necessities, building a formidable team and the journey to reposition in the market.

We learn
Why the Kings Court Hotel
The on arrival
Achievements in a yea
Today’s challenges
Plan for the future

Hear Harpreets learnings, his greatest achievement and his perspective on why hospitality industry is struggling.

The Kings Court Hotel played host to the Stratford-Upon-Avon edition of the roundtable roadshow.

This Hoteliers' Voice podcast from the Stratford-Upon-Avon edition of the roundtable roadshow explores how independent hotels can become "future-ready" by embracing digital transformation. Celtic Collection discuss new technologies, cloud migration, and the role of digital strategy in achieving operational success.
Featuring:
Harpreet Saluja, owner of Kings Court Hotel shares his experience of taking over the property as we dive into determining investment priorities, building out a tech change and deciphering today’s market challenges
ORACLE, David Hayward, with a 20-year industry perspective, explores where the Independent hotel market is today, and how hotels can realise the value of new technologies and drive their digital transformation.
HOSPA, Amanda Brown, Head of Membership explains the benefits of being part of a UK industry membership organisation
Shakespeare’s England, Sian Smith provides quick low-down on regional travel and tourism marketing campaigns.
Focus on Hospitality, Alessandra Leoni explains underpinning all operations, revenue, commercial and guest experience - how to ensure the infrastructure and support delivers and remains consistent with tech moving fast and remaining future ready
Declan Bloomer, Head of Systems and Support, Celtic Collection shares his experience of digital transformation and how they went about it to identify the right people and right technology

What happened at Travelodge sent alarm bells ringing across the industry - how do we keep guests safe and provide clear protocols to all staff?
Keystep Solutions' Andrew Evans kicks off a discussion on Non-negotiable guest security on how hotels can ensure that their teams don’t put their guests at risk. At the Stratford-Upon-Avon roundtable - hoteliers share their thoughts and approach to managing safety of guests

A trip to find out what is on the minds of hoteliers when it comes to marketing - here I grab a few quick interviews with hoteliers and sponsors on what to be thinking about.
Featuring:
Chloe Parry from Carden Park - key marketing considerations
Harry Fielder, Hotel Marketing Association and UmiDigital - where tech plays a role
Daniel Ohandjanian, UpHotel Agency - integrations and expanding the product suite
Holly McCue, Net Affinity - grabbing the right guests
Des Mahoney, Book Assist - managing th booking flow
Matt Willacy, Forsight - guest communications and engagement
Dan Assor, No Vacancy London - marketing events