The Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA) has announced key details for HOSPACE 2025, the UK’s premier conference for hospitality finance, technology, and leadership. Taking place on 13 November 2025 at the Royal Lancaster London, this landmark event celebrates its 20th anniversary with a dynamic program designed to reflect on two decades of industry transformation and provide a roadmap for the future.
Bringing together leading hoteliers, executives, economists, and innovators, HOSPACE has long been recognized as the country’s most influential hospitality gathering. The 2025 edition promises to be its most ambitious yet, balancing a retrospective look at past achievements with forward-looking insights into technology, sustainability, workforce challenges, and financial resilience.
Powerful Opening Led by Industry Icons
The conference will open with a high-profile session featuring Peter Hancock, Jane Pendlebury, Harry Murray MBE, and Chris Cowls MBE, who was recently appointed Chairman of HOSPA. Together, these industry leaders will reflect on two decades of hospitality progress, addressing how the sector has adapted to global challenges while continuing to thrive.
Their discussion will set the tone for a day focused on strategic insight, giving delegates an invaluable perspective on how history can inform future strategies. For attendees, this is a rare opportunity to hear directly from some of the most influential voices in the UK hospitality landscape.
Economic Outlook: The Return of Thomas Pugh
One of the most anticipated sessions will be led by Thomas Pugh, economist at RSM, who captivated audiences at last year’s conference with his clear and engaging economic analysis. Returning for 2025, Pugh will provide a detailed assessment of the UK’s economic climate and its implications for the hospitality sector.
From interest rates and consumer spending patterns to global travel demand, his presentation will offer delegates a comprehensive view of the financial landscape shaping the industry. With economic pressures continuing to influence hotel performance and investment decisions, this session promises critical insights for business leaders seeking stability and growth.
Finance and Performance: Expert Panel Discussion
HOSPACE 2025 will also host a major panel on performance trends and commercial challenges, featuring Mark Edwards of BDO and Michael Grove from Hotstats. These respected finance professionals will dissect the sector’s recent performance, highlighting both achievements and ongoing pressures in areas such as revenue management, operational efficiency, and profitability.
Their analysis will look ahead to 2026, offering practical advice on how businesses can adapt to evolving market conditions. For finance teams and senior executives, this panel will be an essential guide to navigating shifting consumer expectations, rising costs, and competitive pressures.
A Broad Line-Up of Inspiring Speakers
In recognition of its 20th anniversary, HOSPACE 2025 has curated a diverse program of speakers spanning the full breadth of the UK hospitality sector. Confirmed participants include:
- Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, who will address the industry’s policy landscape.
- Claire Good, COO of Travelodge, bringing insights on budget travel trends.
- Neil Braude, COO of Imperial Hotels, speaking on operational innovation.
This wide-ranging speaker line-up ensures that HOSPACE 2025 will cover topics central to the industry’s future, from sustainability and technology to workforce development and guest experience. Attendees will leave with fresh perspectives that are directly applicable to their businesses.
Inspirational Leader Awards: Honoring Industry Changemakers
A highlight of the event will be the Inspirational Leader Awards, presented during the HOSPACE gala dinner. Nominations are open to individuals across the UK hospitality sector who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and impact.
These awards celebrate both the trailblazers driving bold innovations and the behind-the-scenes leaders who provide quiet but vital contributions. Categories will recognize achievements in sustainability, finance, technology, and operational excellence, underscoring the diverse ways hospitality professionals are shaping the future.
As Jane Pendlebury, HOSPA’s Chief Executive, emphasized, the awards are designed to spotlight the energy and passion that fuel the sector, making them a powerful conclusion to a day dedicated to hospitality excellence.
Why HOSPACE Matters in 2025
HOSPACE is more than a conference—it is a forum for learning, collaboration, and inspiration. For twenty years, it has brought together the brightest minds in hospitality to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
In 2025, the stakes are higher than ever. The industry faces continued economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and shifting consumer behaviors. At the same time, opportunities abound, from the growth of sustainable travel to new approaches in digital innovation and guest personalization.
By providing a space where finance professionals, operators, technologists, and policymakers can share knowledge, HOSPACE ensures that the UK’s hospitality sector remains resilient, adaptable, and globally competitive.
Conclusion: A Milestone Year for HOSPACE
As HOSPACE 2025 prepares to welcome delegates to the Royal Lancaster London, it represents more than a milestone anniversary. It is a celebration of the industry’s resilience, innovation, and collective achievements over the past two decades.
From the return of Thomas Pugh’s economic expertise to the finance-focused panels and the Inspirational Leader Awards, the event promises to deliver unmatched insights and networking opportunities. For hospitality professionals across the UK and beyond, HOSPACE 2025 is set to be the must-attend event of the year—marking both a reflection on the past and a bold step into the future.
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