‘Support rather than solve’: Hospitality Action on avoiding the Accidental Counsellor conundrum

On the latest episode of Checking In we are joined by Kevin Edwards, CEO of Hospitality Technology Advisory.Kevin brings over 30 years of experience in hospitality technology. He co-founded Avenue9 in 2014, later selling the business to JLL, and has advised some of the industry's leading hospitality and property organisations like Starwood Capital and Soho House.In 2024, he founded Hospitality Technology Advisory, focusing on helping hotels make smarter technology decisions that deliver real business value.We discuss his career journey, how technology has transformed the hotel industry, the growing role of AI in hospitality, and how hotels can embrace innovation while ensuring their investments deliver a clear return.Thanks to our sponsorsScheidt & Bachmann

On this episode of Checking In, we are joined by Linden Beattie, General Manager of Down Hall. Having joined in 2022 ahead of the property’s major ongoing renovation, Linden shares his experience growing the team from 80 to 200 staff, what makes an independent property truly stand out against larger competitors, and the lasting impact early mentorship can have on a hospitality leadership career.Thanks to our sponsorsScheidt & Bachmann

On this episode of Checking In we are joined by Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media. With nearly three decades at the AA and a foundational career in hotel and restaurant operations, Simon views the guest journey through a lens of authenticity, heritage, and human connection. We discuss the Great British Detour campaign, how independent hotels can reposition themselves as regional destinations, the enduring value of trusted curation over digital algorithms, and how hoteliers can turn spontaneous, experience-led travel into longer stays and repeat visits.Thanks to our sponsorsScheidt & Bachmann

Hotel Owner's deputy editor Heather Sandlin sits down with the team behind RezControl and GiftPro to unpack what a modern property management system actually does for your bottom line — and why "integration" is a hospitality conversation, not an IT one.On the panel:Heather SandlinDeputy Online Editor, Hotel OwnerMatt Adams-NelHead of Hospitality, ClearCourseAndy MenearBusiness Development Lead, RezcontrolPauline ClitheroeBusiness Development Manager, GiftproCharlotte FenwickAccount Executive, RezcontrolThanks to our sponsorsScheidt & Bachmann

On this  episode of Checking In we speak to Rosie Bagley, Director of Marketing Communications at Hyatt. We explore what makes an effective hotel marketing strategy – from balancing the identity of individual properties with the strength of a global brand, to understanding audiences, and ensuring a strong, cohesive approach between operations and marketing. We also discuss the importance of storytelling in communicating the guest experience, how changing search behaviours and AI are reshaping hotel discovery, and what independent hotels can learn from the approach of a major international group.This episode is sponsored by Scheidt & Bachmann Parking Solutions - a scalable, AI-powered cloud platform solution for modern parking management. The solution enables centralized control of all parking operations through a single dashboard and is complemented by features such as online reservations, digital payment options, and self-service portals. Thanks to open interfaces, mobility providers can be easily integrated. Operators benefit from greater transparency, flexibility, and efficiency, while drivers enjoy a seamless and modern parking experience.Thanks to our sponsorsScheidt & Bachmann

In this episode, we speak with Camilla Woods, Services Director at Hospitality Action, to break down the latest findings from their Taking the Temperature survey. We’re exploring the rise of the ‘accidental counsellor’—why managers are increasingly taking on the weight of team mental health, how to spot the early warning signs, and the practical steps leaders can take to turn this research into real workplace action. This episode is sponsored by Scheidt & Bachmann Parking Solutions, which provides a scalable, AI-powered cloud platform solution for modern parking management. The solution enables centralised control of all parking operations through a single dashboard and is complemented by features such as online reservations, digital payment options, and self-service portals. Thanks to open interfaces, mobility providers can be easily integrated. Operators benefit from greater transparency, flexibility, and efficiency, while drivers enjoy a seamless and modern parking experience.Thanks to our sponsorsScheidt & Bachmann

In this episode we're joined by Filipe D’Avillez (Aa-VEE-Lez), General Manager of TRIBE London Canary Wharf. Filipe has built a varied career in hospitality, from launching hotels and developing teams to creating award-winning service cultures. He joined TRIBE around four years ago, ahead of the opening of its first UK property, and has been at the heart of establishing the brand here. Today, we’ll talk about his journey in hospitality, what it takes to launch a new hotel brand, how TRIBE has found its place in a changing Canary Wharf, and the growing role of creativity, experiences and community in hospitality. This episode is sponsored by Scheidt & Bachmann Parking Solutions, which provides a scalable, AI-powered cloud platform solution for modern parking management. The solution enables centralised control of all parking operations through a single dashboard and is complemented by features such as online reservations, digital payment options, and self-service portals. Thanks to open interfaces, mobility providers can be easily integrated. Operators benefit from greater transparency, flexibility, and efficiency, while drivers enjoy a seamless and modern parking experience.

In this episode we speak to Gavin Taylor, CEO of Clermont Hotel Group. Gavin takes us behind the scenes of managing iconic London properties, sharing how his background in finance and operations shapes his approach to leadership, hotel identity and guest experience. We dive into the state of the London hotel market, what it takes to stand out amidst rising competition, and how Clermont is redefining luxury for today’s traveler – including high-profile collaborations like bringing Gordon Ramsay's Hell’s Kitchen to The Cumberland. This episode is sponsored by Scheidt & Bachmann Parking Solutions, which provides a scalable, AI-powered cloud platform solution for modern parking management. The solution enables centralised control of all parking operations through a single dashboard and is complemented by features such as online reservations, digital payment options, and self-service portals. Thanks to open interfaces, mobility providers can be easily integrated. Operators benefit from greater transparency, flexibility, and efficiency, while drivers enjoy a seamless and modern parking experience.

In this episode of Checking In, we speak to Gillian and Michael Beare, directors at Finn Lough. Once their family home, Finn Lough has evolved into a distinctive nature retreat centred around slowing down, reconnecting with the outdoors and creating memorable experience-led getaways. The siblings discussed taking over the running of their family’s unique hospitality business, the changing guest attitudes towards wellness and sustainability, the benefits and challenges of being an independent hospitality start-up and their approach to preserving a family legacy while continuing to innovate. This episode is sponsored by Scheidt & Bachmann Parking Solutions, which provides a scalable, AI-powered cloud platform solution for modern parking management. The solution enables centralised control of all parking operations through a single dashboard and is complemented by features such as online reservations, digital payment options, and self-service portals. Thanks to open interfaces, mobility providers can be easily integrated. Operators benefit from greater transparency, flexibility, and efficiency, while drivers enjoy a seamless and modern parking experience.

In this episode we speak to Nicholas Davies, general manager of the St. Pancras London. We explore what makes the site such a unique part of the capital’s hospitality landscape, how strong storytelling and laidback luxury is at the core of its personality, and how King’s Cross is becoming a destination in its own right. Nicholas also discusses the changing expectations of luxury guests, as well as changing attitudes around career development and accessibility in hospitality, and how historic hotels can ultimately balance tradition with reinvention while remaining relevant for the future guest. This episode is sponsored by Scheidt & Bachmann Parking Solutions, which provides a scalable, AI-powered cloud platform solution for modern parking management. The solution enables centralised control of all parking operations through a single dashboard and is complemented by features such as online reservations, digital payment options, and self-service portals. Thanks to open interfaces, mobility providers can be easily integrated. Operators benefit from greater transparency, flexibility, and efficiency, while drivers enjoy a seamless and modern parking experience.