Hotelympia‘s Women in Hospitality day will celebrate successes, look at challenges and focus on opportunities for women in the industry, showcasing both female and male champions, and giving visitors the perfect opportunity to connect with and learn from top industry leaders.
Top of mind will also be the invaluable contribution made by female hospitality entrepreneurs, alongside up-and-coming stars at the helm of some of the UK’s most exciting start-ups.
Inspirational speakers include newly appointed Government Night Czar, Amy Lamé; chef at Le Gavroche, Emily Roux, and winner of Great British Menu 2017, Pip Lacey. The programme of content is being specially curated by advisor and founder of social enterprise, Women in Travel CIC, Alessandra Alonso.
“With recent statistics^ from the Change Group highlighting that it is men (58%) who currently dominate hospitality senior managerial roles as well as ownership of restaurants and catering establishments, it has never been more important to use our platform, as the UK’s biggest hospitality event, to debate what the industry can do to progress more female talent through the ranks,” Hotelympia portfolio director, Ross Carter, comments.
“But it’s not just about progressing younger candidates, we need further thinking around how we welcome women back into the workforce following maternity, while there is also the wider and more fragmented issue of the gender pay gap at play.
“Similarly, when it comes to chefs, projections suggest that we will need an additional 11,000 over the next five years* to ward off a potential skills crisis. This is precisely the type of situation where, with the right talent management, accomplished female chefs can help tip the balance. There are already signs of green shoots with the number of female chefs in the UK reportedly growing by 34% over the past 12 months – the biggest single rise over the past five years^ – but more needs to be done.”
Alessandra Alonso adds: “I am honoured and delighted to curate the Women in Hospitality day for Hotelympia. As the founder of Women in Travel CIC – a social enterprise that aims to empower women through employability and entrepreneurship in Travel Tourism and Hospitality – and somebody who has supported and advocated for women in the sector for almost 20 years, I believe that women are the backbone of the industry but not enough is being done to celebrate, and indeed foster their contribution to and engagement with the sector.
“I praise Hotelympia for launching a day that will hopefully become a feature of the show and that will see women and men come together to share, learn, inspire, network and mentor each other on important issues such as entrepreneurship, leadership, flexible working, talent and career development and many others. Ultimately it is about making the whole industry more diverse and inclusive to secure its sustainable future.”
Registration is now open for Hotelympia, as the UK’s leading hospitality event introduces four exciting and contemporary shows, united under one roof, as part of a fresh new identity.
Pictured: Emily Roux, chef at Le Gavroche
