Katy is the founder and MD of KAM, a consultancy that she started in 2014. She is passionate about pubs, bars and restaurants (and not just about being in them). Katy founded KAM as she saw a gap in the market for a hospitality and food service insight consultancy that puts creativity at its heart.

She is a BII Trustee and an advisor for Only a Pavement Away. She is also a judge of the Bii Licensee of the Year Award, Restaurant Marketer and Innovator Awards and the Great Taste Awards, as well as a Plan B and Otolo mentor. Katy and KAM created Pedalling for Pubs, the hospitality initiative that raises money and awareness for the LTC and OAPA.

Roy Ellis is the CEO and co-founder of Mission Mars, a leading UK hospitality group renowned for delivering innovative dining, drinking, and entertainment experiences. Ellis first made his mark in the industry by co-founding Revolution Bars with business partner Neil MacLeod. They opened their first bar in Aston Under Lyne in 1991, quickly expanding to over 60 locations nationwide.

In 2015, seeking a new adventure, Roy and Neil launched Mission Mars, which has become home to popular venues Albert’s Schloss, Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza, and Albert Hall in Manchester.

Albert’s Schloss is a palatial bier hall specialising in world-class lagers, alpine inspired decor, and food with 7 nights of entertainment. Since its inception, it has expanded to four locations. Meanwhile, Rudy’s has grown from its humble beginnings in Ancoats, the Little Italy of Manchester, to 27 venues across the UK.

Peter is the founder of theDelivery.World and is a recognised expert on the structure and dynamics of the global restaurant delivery market from the USA, across Europe, the Middle East, India and beyond.

He is one of the authors of theDelivery.World newsletter, and contributing International Editor of Food On Demand. He regularly speaks at conferences worldwide and his views are sought by television, radio, and the press.

He removes short sightedness and provides focus for senior executives who make significant decisions in the sector. And his forthright and challenging views are based on data-driven insights.

He is one of the authors of theDelivery.World newsletter, and contributing International Editor of Food On Demand. He regularly speaks at conferences worldwide and his views are sought by television, radio, and the press. He is the author of “Restaurants also sell food” – published in London, Toronto and Chicago.

Peter is a founder and past Chairman of Arena, the UK pan-industry networking organisation that he was instrumental in setting up twenty five years ago.

Tsara is CFO at the Trispan backed Rosa’s Thai, having joined in early 2021.

She has been instrumental in their growth, with the business more than doubling in size during her tenure and the addition of a franchise partner in the Middle East.

Prior to Rosa’s Tsara has spent a further 14 years across roles in hospitality sector businesses including Carluccio’s, Whitbread, Luminar and Camino. She trained at KPMG.

Laura opened the first Caravan in 2010 with co-founders and fellow New Zealanders Chris Ammermann and Miles Kirby. Caravan was a pioneer in all day dining in London, offering fresh healthy bold flavours from around the globe, great in house roasted craft coffee and all set in a warm & welcoming design aesthetic. Caravan now has nine restaurants, including a major opening in Manchester and well as brews bars, a dedicated coffee roastery and coffee school. They are also proudly B-corp.

Entering his 28th year in the hospitality industry, with previous time spent with TGI’s, Living Ventures, The Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, Red’s, Wahaca and Bill’s, Ben is currently helping to drive Hickory’s growth as the group expands across the UK.

Since joining in 2022 Hickorys have grown from 14 restaurants to 25 at the start of this year with a pipeline of a further 10 in 2025 and 10 in 2026.

An award-winning operator with previous experience with well-known brands such as Byron, Jamie’s and Pizza Express. Since joining Mowgli Street Food Ltd in July 2019, Lucy has supported founder Nisha Katona with the rapid growth of the beloved Indian Home Kitchen now operating 25 restaurants in 24 cities with a further 5 openings planned this year. Mowgli was also announced one of the UK’s Best companies to work for in 2021 – 2024.

Maria is Head of Operations at Blacklock and joined them in 2022. Over 17 years of industry experience from

MD of Out.In.Co, 7 years in various ops roles at Shake Shack. Prior,was GM of Living Room. Previously, a trainer at Hard Rock.In 2023 she was recognised in Codes annual women in hospitality.

Brian has been with Dishoom since 2010, and is an integral part of the company’s team of senior Babus, led by Co-Founders Shamil and Kavi Thakrar. Trollip recently stepped into the new position of CEO after leading the team as Managing Director since October 2020. Prior to this, he held the position of Chief Operations-Walla. As CEO he continues to support the Founders, whilst overseeing all aspects of the business as it continues to grow and evolve, plus a team of over 2,000 Dishoom-Wallas.

Éadaoin McDonagh is COO of White Rabbit Projects (WRP), a hospitality development platform which identifies, creates and incubates early-stage hospitality concepts, helping them scale successfully, with quality and guest experience at the forefront.

The existing portfolio includes Lina Stores, Kricket, Island Poké and hotels, like Rusacks St. Andrews, the Randolph Oxford and Locke de Santa Joana in Lisbon with Chef Nuno Mendes. WRP will open ARC, its first wellness concept offering communal contrast therapy through saunas and ice baths.

Éadaoin is also the MD of Lina Stores, having scaled it from an 80-year old Soho delicatessen to nine London stores and three in Japan, ranging from small format pasta bars, flagship restaurants with delicatessens, and a new aperitivo bar format – Bar Lina. Lina Stores opens its first regional location in Manchester in Spring 2025.

Sam Grainger is chef patron and co-founder of some of the Northwests most exciting hospitality brands.

Grainger’s portfolio spans the Northwest boasting the critically acclaimed neighbourhood restaurant Belzan, Manchester hotspot Medlock Canteen, the Mexican taqueria, Madre – which is soon be opening site number three, and its younger sibling Salon Madre. Most recently Grainger worked with long term colleagues Owain Williams and the team from Breddo’s in London to open Doug’s – the first UK site for the Oslo based burger brand.

So far in the plans for 2025, Grainger is working on a new restaurant concept, the expansion of Madre and Doug’s, is consulting on the opening of the new Treehouse Hotel in Manchester and will be entering into the bar sector with two projects currently in the pipeline.