Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome back to Hospitality Meets where today we have a special treat as we sit down with none other than James Brown (no, not the legendary blues singer - Highly original and never been used before joke) the dynamic CEO of Brewdog's bar division as well as being the co-founder of Tipjar.

Join us as James takes us through his remarkable journey, from his humble beginnings at a chip shop in rural Scotland to leading Brewdog’s international bar operations. We'll dive into the fun and innovative culture at Brewdog that attracts young, ambitious talent, and explore how they navigate the challenges of opening new locations, including a whirlwind expansion into Ohio and beyond.

James shares valuable insights into the importance of in-person social experiences, especially post-COVID, and the unique challenges and rewards of the hospitality industry. We'll also chat about his entrepreneurial venture, Tipjar, a platform revolutionising the way tips are distributed in the hospitality sector.

Get ready for an episode filled with entrepreneurial spirit, risk-taking stories, and the captivating energy of the hospitality world. Tune in as we uncover the passion and dedication that drives James and his team to create memorable experiences for both staff and guests around the globe.

Enjoy!

The Guest

Instagram - @james_rides_bikes

X - @BrewDogJB

The Sponsor

Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil

Today, on Hospitality Meets, we dive deep into the fascinating career journey of Phil Murphy, the Managing Director at Hoar Cross Hall Hotel & Spa.

Starting his career in leisure and fitness, and facing numerous challenges, including personal tragedy and the unforeseen impact of Covid-19, Phil demonstrates the resilience and dedication required to thrive in the hospitality industry. From restructuring a large spa facility to overseeing a landmark hotel, Phil shares valuable insights into leadership, the importance of relationships, and the power of mutual respect as well as knowing when to say no, as well as yes!

Join us as Phil reminisces about his beginnings in hospitality, the camaraderie that fuelled his passion, and the pivotal experiences that shaped his career. We’ll explore his achievements in sustainability, including the creation of a zero landfill business, and his strategies for maintaining high brand standards. And as a special treat, Phil reveals his unique interview question that helps uncover true potential in candidates.

Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation filled with wisdom, humour, and life lessons from one of our industry’s seasoned professionals.

Enjoy!

The Guest

Phil Murphy is the Managing Director at Hoar Cross Hall Spa Hotel a 104 Bedroom, 85,000 square foot spa destination. Welcoming over 100,000 guests per year, 400 staff members. Previously he's had roles such as Group Leisure and Spa Operations Manager at QHotels overseeing 26 leisure and spa properties with Experience at Macdonald Hotels, DW and JJB fitness.

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/phil-murphy-8a3185154

The Sponsor

Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil

Welcome to another episode of "Hospitality Meets," where this week we delve into the vibrant world of the hospitality and night time economy. Phil is joined by none other than Michael Kill, the dynamic Chief Executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).

Michael shares an array of fascinating stories—from being pranked early in his career at Fifth Avenue to orchestrating his own elaborate pranks as promotional stunts. Listen as Phil and Michael explore how such experiences build resilience and break down barriers.

Michael’s journey into the industry was a serendipitous shift from a potentially very different path leading him to discover a profound sense of camaraderie and community. They discuss the quintessential role of problem-solving in hospitality, drawing parallels between past and present dynamics, especially influenced by social media. Michael underscores the importance of unity within the industry to influence governmental policies and enhance representation, touching upon his work with NTIA and the Institute of Hospitality.

Together, Phil and Michael reflect on the multifaceted nature of the hospitality industry—from unglamorous tasks to major political manoeuvres—and its power to shape character and personal growth. Tune in to hear about Michael's hands on experience, his advocacy for collective industry success, and his strategic initiatives that aim to elevate the industry's stature on both national and international stages.

Don’t miss out on this insightful conversation brimming with practical wisdom, laughter, and a touch of nostalgia. Cheers!

The Guest

With several decades of experience working within independent, corporate and public sector environments at executive level, Michael specialises in Marketing, Operations, Licensing, Logistics and System Implementation. With significant senior management roles within Luminar Leisure Plc, The Drinks Group and the University of East Anglia and now as the Chief Executive of the Night Time Industries Association, Michael has been exposed to a considerable range of businesses within the night time economy business sector.

NTIA - https://ntia.co.uk/

Instagram - @ntiaofficial

X - @wearethentia

The Sponsor

Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil

Today we bring you the superstar that is Jane Sunley, Founder and CEO of Purple Cubed (https://purplecubed.com/).

As always, we get through loads including:-

• Humble beginnings
• Being the naughty one
• Being spurred on by negativity
• Becoming a manager
• Moving to Reading
• London
• Starting in contract catering
• Setting up a temp agency
• Purpled Cubed
• Culture
• Book writing
• Shenanigans in the dry store

And so much more.

Jane is one of the most recognisable humans in hospitality and has an epic story from start to finish, told with humour and humility. I guarantee you'll take massive value from our conversation.

Enjoy!

What a week UK Hospitality has had since our last episode. 3 huge fundraisers - Lunch4Ukraine, The Springboard Awards for Excellence and Back to the floor for Hospitality Action. The Latter, gave me the opportunity to meet today's guest.

I got some time with Jason Adams, Managing Director of the beautiful Rockliffe Hall in the North East (https://www.rockliffehall.com/).

As always, we get through loads including:-

• Taking on a new role at the beginning of Covid
• The Staycation
• The North East
• Grabbing the bull by the horns on your career
• Starting in the kitchen
• Moving to the front operation
• Le Manoir Standards
• Moving to Jersey
• Developing people
• Letting good people get their wings
• Improving business
• Looking after people
• The adapting leader
• The expansion of Rockliffe
• Community
• How to complain

And so much more. Jason has built a cracking career so far and with a history of improving businesses wherever he goes. There's so much learning in here from start to finish including being proactive in your career.

Thanks so much Jason.

Enjoy!

At the time of writing, Hospitality Meets has now been downloaded in 113 countries (still looking for our first listener in Greenland). So this week, we've gone international and not only that, we managed to get some time with Denise Flanders, the General Manager of one of the worlds most legendary hotels, Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles (https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/hotel-bel-air/).

We get through all manner of things including:-

• The view from Bel-Air
• The Bridge
• Moving to New York
• Joining Four Seasons
• Moving around the US
• Finding your home
• Aligning values
• Creating luxury hospitality
• Guests who knit
• The importance of relationships
• Culture
• Having confidence in the future
• The magical moments
• Kindness
• FUN!

This conversation is like an advertisement for hospitality heavily laden with compelling reasons as to why hospitality is so awesome and Denise talks so passionately about the industry from the outset.

She is someone who clearly has hospitality coursing through her veins and has a wonderfully calming tone throughout.

What a pleasure it was to chat to her and I know you will all take some great nuggets with you from this.

Enjoy!

I was first alerted to today's guest as she featured in the 2021 Acorn award winners, celebrating 30 people under the age of 30 to look out for.

She then very kindly agreed to be a panelist at the inaugural Rooms101 event later that year and I knew then that I totally needed to get some time with Amelia Harper, Director of Communications for Rosewood London (https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/london).

We cover off so much as always including:-

• The suites at the Rosewood
• Living above a pub
• Pineapple hedgehogs
• Getting a start at Harrods
• Moving into events
• Rebranding
• Manifestation
• People vs buildings
• Marketing
• Respecting the operation
• Creating cookery books
• Afternoon tea
• Working for the George Clooney of the hospitality industry
• Why Hospitality is AWESOME
• Making mistakes

And so much more. Amelia is absolutely a rising star and a shining light for this industry and our chat is full of golden nuggets and humour.

Enjoy!

I was so happy to get some time with todays guest, one of the most recognisable names in the Hotel industry, none other than Danny Pecorelli, MD of Exclusive Collection (https://www.exclusive.co.uk).

Danny is a 2nd generation hotelier but as we find out, that didn't necessarily translate into a clear path being formed for him as he took time to forge his own career and capability.

This chat is rammed full of useful stuff from start to finish including:-

• Danny - the man, the Mystery
• Staying busy
• Being a 2nd generation hotelier
• Finding your own path
• Making sandwiches
• The Savoy Training program
• Working in a convention hotel
• Cornell School
• Golf
• Detail
• The glory of Hospitality
• People
• B-Corp
• Giving back
• The Future
• Evolution
• Monstrous Wedding cakes
• Jonny Wilkinson & Cameron Diaz

And so much more.

Danny's story is everything you'd hope it would be but in many ways it still sounds like he's at the beginning of an epic journey.

Enjoy!

Ever since I saw today's guest on BBC 2's Great British Menu in 2020, I knew I wanted to get some time with him on the show.

Now Head Chef at Boiler & Co (https://boilerandco.com), Kerth Gumbs is everything you hope for in a chef working in Hospitality. No doubt he brings the flair and creativity but more importantly, he brings just a wonderful zest and passion for what he does that is incredibly infectious, and we definitely need more of that.

We get through loads including:-

• Spring
• Boiler & Co
• Growing up in the Caribbean
• Let me knows Pizza
• Starting in front of house
• Excelling at Track & Field
• Moving to the UK
• Walking and Running around London
• Le Cordon Bleu
• The first foray into Michelin Kitchens
• Learning resilience
• Shoulder pressing
• Learning French
• Diversifying the knowledge base
• Leadership
• Great British Menu Experience
• Dreams about chocolate

And so much more. There’s some excellent learning in here all the way through but expecially around resilience and the amazing things that await you if you keep pushing through.

Enjoy!

I'm not going to lie, I'm a sucker for a luxury hotel.

So imagine my delight when I asked Group Operations Director of Iconic Luxury Hotels, Francisco Macedo on the show to chat through his journey.

We get through loads including:-

• Staying busy
• The hospitality way
• Getting into Hotels early
• The similarities within the Medicine and hospitality industries
• The importance of the right mentors
• Juggling work and education
• World Class UK Hospitality
• Madeira
• Working through the country house hotel scene
• Taking the helm at Cliveden House
• Strategic emailing
• Finding a balance
• Journaling
• Confusing guests in cloakrooms
• Master Inn Holders

And so much more.

There are wonderful lessons and ideas all the way through our chat and Francisco talks with passion and humour throughout.

Enjoy!