Simon Townsend, the CEO of Ei Group, is the confirmed keynote speaker for the Arena Savoy Lecture 2018, which takes place on the evening of Monday 16 April at The Savoy, London.
Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, the newly-created industry body that merges the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and the British Hospitality Association (BHA), will also update hospitality and foodservice professionals on the vision and objectives of UKHospitality.
The Ei Group of 2018 is a very different company to the Enterprise Inns (as it was formerly known) that began a notable journey of transformation in 2015. Not only is it the largest pub company in the UK, it’s also the fastest growing managed-house business creating enormous opportunities for all – including suppliers and businesses targeting the pub market.
Kate NichollsSimon Townsend will give an insight into the business’ significant shift in model and strategy. He will also explain the genuine opportunities available to sector suppliers and partners and how to maximise them.
Topics for discussion include: the motivation behind the strategy to transform Ei Group from its origin of tenanted and leased pubs to managed houses; the size and timeframe of the ambition; the process, challenges, opportunities and key learnings for Ei Group; a central purchasing function and the increased opportunities for suppliers and partners to work with Ei Group; the remodelling of Ei Group’s tenanted and leased arm and the further opportunities it’s created.
Kate Nicholls will set the scene, vision and objectives for the new industry body that brings together and represents businesses from all sectors of hospitality. She will explain the association’s role and responsibilities, discuss its agenda for lobbying government, and outline the key issues impacting the industry.
Lorraine Wood, Arena’s director, said: “We’re very excited about the line-up for the 2018 Arena Savoy Lecture. The combination of Simon Townsend and Kate Nicholls makes this an unmissable event.
“The changes at Ei Group have been significant, with Simon in the driving seat. Arena members and guests can now find out what the changes are and, most importantly, what the real opportunities are to work with Ei Group to benefit their own businesses.
“The merger of the ALMR and BHA to form a new powerful industry voice is also big news and attendees can find out from Kate what UKHospitality has planned and how it will support them.”