Hospitality's future talent takes centre stage at sold-out conference amid workforce challenges

The future of hospitality was in the spotlight as the Institute of Hospitality's sold-out Passion4Hospitality: The Future Leaders Conference brought together the next generation of hospitality talent with employers and industry leaders at Novotel London West on Monday 2 November.

Hospitality employs around 3.5 million people across the UK. In September to November 2025, the sector recorded approximately 75,000 vacancies, highlighting the continuing importance of attracting and developing future talent.

A further challenge is ensuring that prospective employees have the skills and experience employers need. The UK Government's Employer Skills Survey found that, in 2024, more than 15,000 vacancies in the hotels and restaurants sector in England were hard to fill because of a lack of skills, qualifications or experience among applicants.

Against this backdrop, Passion4Hospitality brought together students, apprentices, graduates, educators, employers and industry leaders for a day of practical career advice, mentoring, thought leadership and networking, as the Institute of Hospitality continue to champion the people who will shape the future of hospitality.

Supported by The Savoy Educational Trust, the conference featured a careers exhibition with 40 businesses, alongside workshops, panel discussions, competitions and a live podcast recording, allowing delegates to discover career paths, develop their skills and connect directly with potential employers.

Opening doors to future careers

Opening the conference, Institute of Hospitality CEO Robert Richardson FIH MI Hon DLitt reflected on his own career, which began at the age of 17 when somebody gave him an opportunity.

He encouraged delegates to make the most of the connections available throughout the day, reminding them that successful careers rarely follow a straight line and that a single conversation or introduction can open up unexpected possibilities.

He said: “Never underestimate the opportunities that come your way, and never underestimate what you might be capable of achieving.”

The programme included Speed Mentoring, mock interviews, careers advice and workshops designed to help students build confidence, develop employability skills and take practical steps towards their future careers.

The careers exhibition connected attendees with employers from across the profession, helping them discover opportunities they might not otherwise have considered.

For a sector with a significant workforce and an ongoing need to develop its talent pipeline, opportunities to meet employers, gain advice and understand potential career pathways can play a valuable role in helping people take their first steps into work and progress within the industry.

Leaders share insights and experience

The conference featured a programme of discussions exploring the challenges, opportunities and skills shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders.

The morning included The Changing Faces of Operational Leadership: What Tomorrow's Hospitality Leaders Need to Know, led by James McComas FIH, General Manager of Eastwell Manor Champneys Hotel & Spa, followed by The Placement Paradox: Experience Required, Opportunity Not Guaranteed, examining the challenges young people can face when seeking work experience and placements.

The Rt Hon Gillian Keegan delivered the keynote address to a packed room. Ms Keegan, former MP for Chichester and Secretary of State for Education under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, spoke of her own career journey, from car factories and shoe shops through to her successful career in government. Her message was one of positivity and encouragement, mentioning her own struggles to be taken seriously as a “scouser”, leading her to soften her accent. Ms Keegan spent time talking to many of the attendees after a question-and-answer session with delegates.

In the afternoon, What I Wish I'd Known at 20 brought together experienced professionals to share career lessons, offering delegates insight into the decisions, experiences, and advice that can help shape a successful future.

Sacha Lord joins live podcast recording

A live recording of the Institute's official I'm In podcast featured Sacha Lord FIH, Chair of the Night Time Industries Association, in conversation with Robert Richardson FIH MI Hon DLitt.

The session, From Entrepreneur to Industry Influencer: Shaping the Future of Hospitality, explored Lord's career and his experience of influencing the industry.

The future of the profession was also the focus of Hospitality Dragons Den: Future Leaders of Hospitality 2035. Four students pitched their ideas for what hospitality could look like in 2035 to a panel of industry leaders, with delegates voting for their favourite.

The winning student, Victoria Aloe Bell, received a £500 prize sponsored by Council for Hospitality Management Education (CHME) for her presentation, Standing In Your Light. In a surprise move, Eilidh Henderson’s ‘My Stay, My Way’ also received £500 from Mr Lord personally to match CHME’s award as the runner-up.

Celebrating emerging talent

Student talent was further recognised through the Best Student Presentation Award, sponsored by The Savoy Educational Trust. The competition invited students to share their perspectives on hospitality through a recorded presentation, judged by a panel of industry and academic professionals.

The winner, Malik Amadou Seidou Mossi from the University of Surrey, won the £1,000 first prize, sponsored by the Savoy Educational Trust. Unable to attend the event in person, Mr Mossi sent a video acceptance of his award. He has been presented with an official certificate, membership of the IoH and will be featured in the organisation’s magazine. The £500 runner-up prize went to Arwen Garland from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Also highly commended was Manh Duy Dong from the University of Surrey.

The HOTS (Hotel Operations Tactics and Strategy) Business Game, sponsored by Russell Partnership, challenged student teams to apply their business knowledge, strategic thinking and teamwork in a competitive hotel management simulation.

First prize went to Oxford Brookes University, with second place to University College Birmingham.

Together, the competitions allowed students to demonstrate their ideas, knowledge and potential while celebrating the talent entering the hospitality profession.

Supporting hospitality's next generation

Reflecting on the conference, IoH CEO Robert Richardson FIH MI Hon DLitt said:         

“My own hospitality career began because somebody gave a 17-year-old an opportunity. At the time, I had absolutely no idea where that opportunity might lead. Never underestimate the opportunities that come your way, and never underestimate what you might be capable of achieving.”

The Institute of Hospitality supports students, apprentices and graduates through professional membership, development opportunities, mentoring and connections with a global community of more than 17,000 hospitality professionals.

By bringing future talent together with experienced professionals and employers, Passion4Hospitality helps delegates explore their options, build confidence and develop connections that can support them throughout their careers.

Image above shows Gillian Keegan talking to hospitality students at IoH careers fair, Passion 4 Hospitality.