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Women to Watch and Advocates for Change in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure Index The 2020 Edition from WiHTL and The MBS Group Foreword ver the last few years the highlighting the profiles of women hospitality, travel and leisure distinguished for their commercial and industry has made significant operational excellence, industry and social Oprogress towards the creation of diverse impact, achievements, resilience and and inclusive environments and taken commitment to the industry. The aim of the Index is to share their stories which will progressive steps in particular in terms undoubtedly inspire other women to join of gender representation at leadership and progress within the industry. level. The impact of the pandemic in 2020, which has seen the industry For the first time, we have also identified endure multiple lockdowns, extensive a group of Advocates for Change, men restructuring, furloughing, home working and women who are passionate about and subsequently a recession, has had promoting diversity and inclusion in the a disproportionate effect on women workplace and through their words and and people from ethnic minorities, actions create the momentum for cultural shift and tangible results across their severely interrupting or putting on hold respective organisation and the whole careers and slowing down or stopping hospitality, travel and leisure industry. altogether investment in future leaders. However, if we are able to harness the The Index is not exhaustive or definitive, benefits and mitigate the risks, this crisis and was compiled by soliciting might be the catalyst for more positive nominations from a variety of different gendered and ethnic change. The Index sources. All those featured in the Index highlights the broad and deep female have been interviewed by the MBS team and have been included on the basis of talent pool we have within our industry rigorous criteria. I am forever grateful and aims to inspire more women to to the team at The MBS Group for their pursue a career within the sector and unwavering commitment and dedication to reach the most senior levels within to highlighting the stories and showcasing their organisation. the varied careers of these formidable and talented people. I would like to thank The business imperative and competitive Elliott Goldstein, Sam Seigler and all at The advantage from realising women’s and all MBS Group for their insight and support. underrepresented groups’ potential across the industry remains strong and it is against this background that I am delighted to launch the 2020 Edition of the Women to Watch and Advocates for Change in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure Index. This second edition of the Index has once Tea Colaianni again unearthed the rich and diverse Founder and Chair female talent we have across our industry, WiHTL Introduction he MBS Group is once again Previous research from The MBS Group delighted to partner with WiHTL found that, despite significant progress to launch the Women to Watch over the last three years, only 31.2% of Tand Advocates for Change in Hospitality, senior leadership roles are filled by women Travel & Leisure Index for 2020. in HTL, and that a significant barrier to progression for women in the industry is a Following on from last year’s inaugural lack of visible role models. By highlighting Index, this publication aims to highlight these phenomenal individuals, it is my the depth and breadth of female talent hope that this Index will inspire ambitious in the sector – not profiling the ‘top’ women to pursue a career in the sector women, but instead demonstrating – whether that’s joining from outside that inspiring individuals can be found or continuing to progress within it. from all parts of the sector, across all disciplines and functions. This year, we have also included a selection of Advocates for Change: 2020 has been one of the most turbulent 10 men and women who are playing years the hospitality, travel and leisure a central role in moving the dial on sector has ever seen. Earlier this year, diversity in hospitality, travel and leisure. research from The MBS Group, WiHTL These leaders are committed to creating and PwC found that Covid-19 has had a a culture of inclusion and belonging, disproportionate impact on women and and are leveraging their senior positions those from ethnic minorities in the sector, to drive lasting positive change. and that diversity and inclusion strategies have slipped down the corporate agenda In what has otherwise been a challenging as leaders focus on business survival. year, it has been a privilege to hear Notably, strong female or ethnic minority the stories of the Women to Watch role models have exited, budgets to and Advocates for Change. Through achieve D&I goals have been slashed, every conversation, I’ve been struck by and initiatives to encourage diversity the optimism and passion that exists have been put on hold. in the sector. With this in mind, it is now more important Finally, I would like to thank Tea Colaianni, than ever to highlight – and celebrate – the whose passion and commitment to diverse range of women demonstrating diversity is an inspiration to us all. Through excellence in their field in hospitality, travel WiHTL, she is pushing the sector forward and leisure. Over the course of the last few in a real and practical way. months, we have sought nominations from the sector, identifying women who stand out from their peer group and excel in any one of the following areas: leadership, commercial impact, entrepreneurialism Sam Seigler and innovation, making a wider Director, Hospitality, contribution to the sector or making Travel and Leisure a wider contribution to society at large. The MBS Group Women to Watch Inspiring female role models from across the industry Over the past few months, we have or their wider contribution to the sought nominations for distinguished sector or society at large. This index women from the hospitality, travel is not exhaustive, nor ranked in any and leisure sector. These women were way, but instead aims to demonstrate nominated and selected because the depth and breadth of female talent of their inspiring leadership, their that exists in the sector, across all commercial impact, their track record disciplines and functions. for entrepreneurialism and innovation Yusra Ali Beth Anderson Company WiHTL / Oxford Brookes University / Job Title Member of the Advisory Board / Final year student, Company Revolution Bars Group / Job Title People Director BSc. (Hons) in International Hospitality Management ost university I took grew up in Dubai, What do you find most boost disproportionately a job at Cameron’s where hospitality rewarding in your low ethnic minority Brewery to fund my is all around you. I degree? representation at senior Pmaster’s. I lectured at Hull QUICKFIRE Idecided to pursue it more Hospitality gives me a leadership levels. My job University on the side creative outlet. While other is to get the word out What book has influenced What’s the most academically through but loved hospitality so you the most? interesting thing you’ve academic disciplines give by contacting student a travel and tourism A much that after travelling seen or heard recently? you a fixed brief to work to, unions and Afro-Caribbean Sheryl Sandberg – Lean Level module, which societies. I applied as a manager In! This was really eye- Tough one, there’s interested me so much this industry gives me more at Revolution Bars Group. flexibility in the way I work. opening early in my career. loads, but the research that I won an award for What are the biggest I was only in operations Who is your role model published by MBS, PwC for 18 months, as my & WiHTL on Guarding my achievement. I’m What advice would you barriers to entry within this industry? against Unintended currently in my fourth give the next generation for ethnic minorities passion for helping people fulfill their potential soon Emma Woods – just Consequences: The year at the Oxford School of Hospitality Management, in hospitality? became clear. I supported many people through our because she’s mega! And of women entering Impact of Covid-19 on doing a BSc in international hospitality management. I internal leadership program, so when a position in HR Rob Pitcher, as I admire your sector? So often, diverse Gender and Race & Ethnic his genuine approach to had to do a placement within it, so my first experience When you interview for recruitment initiatives became available the HR director called me to say he’d Diversity in Hospitality, diversity. of the industry was a year spent at the Hilton Metropole a new company, ask what are nothing more than heard about the development I’d been doing across my Travel & Leisure was both London. As I rotated through food and beverage and they’re doing to promote marketing gimmicks region and he thought I would suit the ‘people space’. What qualities are insightful and thought front of house, I fell in love with the industry. When I people from diverse that don’t reach the Despite having no HR training, I took the plunge, the most valuable provoking. returned to university, one of my lecturers introduced backgrounds. If the answer people they’re meant beginning by managing our Trainee Assistant Manager in a leader? me to the work WiHTL is doing, and the minute class is nothing, know that the to be targeting. If more programme. I then progressed to HR Business Partner Integrity. companies sent members ended I ran away to sign up. I had previously struggled company’s not for you and for the South and later got the opportunity to do a of their teams out into you deserve better. national role as Talent Development Manager.

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