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It’s a question that’s coming up more and more — in boardrooms, in team meetings, and quietly in people’s heads.You can see why.Automation is accelerating. Admin is being stripped out. Systems are getting smarter.So where does that leave HR?In today’s bonus episode of Talking Hospitality, host Timothy R Andrews sat down with Jonathan Napier to explore exactly that.And let’s just say… his take might not be what you expect.This isn’t a theoretical conversation. It’s grounded, practical, and very real for where the industry is heading.If you work with people — or lead them — this one’s worth your time.Out now#talkinghospitality #podcast #ai #hr #humanresources #hospitality

This bonus episode of Talking Hospitality, recorded live at Confex 2026, explores one of the most misunderstood roles in the industry: human resources.Timothy R Andrews speaks with Jonathan Napier, HR Director at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and a volunteer advocate for HR in Hospitality, a non-profit network dedicated to championing people professionals across the sector.Jonathan shares what HR actually does inside hospitality businesses — and why the function is far more than hiring, payroll or policies. At its heart, HR is about supporting people, developing talent and ensuring teams have the guidance and structure they need to succeed.The conversation also explores the work of HR in Hospitality, a volunteer-led organisation that has spent three decades bringing HR professionals together through events, education and networking. Jonathan explains why advocacy for HR as a career matters, why operational experience is invaluable for future HR leaders, and how hospitality offer…

What does HR actually do in hospitality?In this bonus episode of Talking Hospitality, recorded live at Confex 2026, Timothy R Andrews sits down with Jonathan Napier, HR Director at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London and a volunteer advocate for HR in Hospitality — a non-profit organisation championing people professionals across the sector.HR can often be misunderstood. Many people still see it as policies, paperwork, or the department you only hear from when something has gone wrong. But as Jonathan explains in this conversation, the reality is very different.At its core, HR in hospitality is about people — supporting teams, developing careers, guiding leaders and helping businesses build workplaces where individuals can succeed.Jonathan shares how HR in Hospitality, a volunteer-led network that has been supporting HR professionals for nearly three decades, brings people together through industry events, education and collaboration. From employment law updates and mock trib…

HR in Hospitality has been around for nearly 30 years… and everything we do is about championing people in this industry.”Because HR still gets misunderstood. Too often seen as policies, paperwork… or the people you only hear from when something’s gone wrong.But the reality?In this upcoming episode, Jonathan Napier breaks down what HR in hospitality really is — and why it matters more than ever.Worth a listen if you care about people, culture, and the future of our industry.#hrinhospitality #hr #hospitality #talkinghospitality #podcast #humanresources #people

Day 18 of 31 celebrates Che Young, whose appearance on Talking Hospitality opened up one of the most thoughtful and educational conversations we have had on gender.The episode was powerful because it was non-judgemental, accessible and honest, and it genuinely caused people, including some of us on the show, to rethink what gender meant in the mid-2020s.Since then, Che’s public work has moved more into wellness, coaching and Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired practice, but the impact of that conversation still holds.#talkinghospitality #womeninhospitality #podcast #Gender #IWD2026

Day 17 of 31 celebrates Daksha Mistry, one of the original MasterChef names who helped show that great food, strong identity and proper entrepreneurial grit can take you a long way.Since appearing on Talking Hospitality, she has continued building Dakshas Gourmet Catering, bringing her Gujarati-inspired cooking and events business to weddings, private dining and corporate events, while keeping that same warmth and originality that made her stand out in the first place.She is a brilliant example of a woman who took visibility from TV and turned it into a lasting business of her own#talkinghospitality #womeninhospitality #podcast #Vegan #MasterchefUk #Masterchef

Women In Hospitality | Adele Oxberry #podcast #hospitality #sports Day 16 of 31 and we’re starting the week with a powerhouse: Adele Oxberry.When Adele appeared on Talking Hospitality, she brought real clarity to the conversation around apprenticeships, progression and the need to show people that hospitality can offer proper long-term careers.Since then, she has continued leading Umbrella Training as Founder and Chief Executive, while also remaining active across wider industry work including Hospitality Action and Be Inclusive Hospitality, using her voice to champion development, opportunity and a stronger future for the sector.She is one of those women who does not just talk about change in hospitality, but helps build the frameworks that make it possible.In this episode of Women In Hospitality, we sit down with Adele Oxberry, a respected leader in the hospitality sector and a passionate advocate for training, apprenticeships, and career development within the industry.Adel…

Fight Night where Hospitality professionals take up their gloves in the name of charity. In the build up to the 16th March, we meet Co-Founder Paul Gilley who explains why he started it all. #hospitalityaction #fightnight #talkinghospitality #hospitality #boxing

Fight Night where Hospitality professionals take up their gloves in the name of charity. In the build up to the 16th March, we meet some of the fighters giving it their all over 12 weeks of training. Today we meet Sous Chef George, who explains why he got involved. #hospitalityaction #fightnight #talkinghospitality #hospitality #boxing

Day 15 of 31 celebrates Lisa Carey, who joined Talking Hospitality to speak about the work of Open Kitchens at a time when communities across the UK needed urgent support.Her episode was a powerful reminder that hospitality is not just about service in the commercial sense, but about people, care and what this industry can do when it comes together for something bigger.Lisa helped shine a light on the role hospitality can play in tackling food poverty and supporting communities, and that message still matters.#foodpoverty #IWD2026 #womeninhospitality #talkinghospitality #hospitality #podcast

Fight Night where Hospitality professionals take up their gloves in the name of charity. In the build up to the 16th March, we meet some of the fighters giving it their all over 12 weeks of training.Today we meet street food entrepreneur Sebastian Lambot, who explains why he got involved.#hospitalityaction #fightnight #talkinghospitality #hospitality #boxing

Fight Night where Hospitality professionals take up their gloves in the name of charity. In the build up to the 16th March, we meet some of the fighters giving it their all over 12 weeks of training.Today we meet General Manager of The Tavistock Hotel, Adem Duran, who explains why he got involved.#hospitalityaction #fightnight #talkinghospitality #hospitality #boxing

Day 14 of 31 celebrates Pookie Tredell, who brought creativity, warmth and a real sense of joy to Talking Hospitality.Best known to many as MasterChef UK 2022 runner-up, Pookie has continued to build her profile as a chef and content creator describing herself as a “Chef & Traveller” and her more recent public posts showing that food, travel and storytelling remain central to her world.What stands out about Pookie is that she represents the kind of hospitality that feels generous and imaginative at the same time.Her voice on the platform was a reminder that food is not just about technique, but about personality, culture and the confidence to do things in your own way.#IWD2026 #womeninhospitality #talkinghospitality #Masterchef #podcast #hospitality

Fight Night where Hospitality professionals take up their gloves in the name of charity. In the build up to the 16th March, we meet some of the fighters giving it their all over 12 weeks of training. Today we meet power couple Anthea and Sebastian G who explains why they got involved.#hospitalityaction #fightnight #talkinghospitality #hospitality #boxing

Meet The Fighters | Kasia Sadowska #shorts #sports #podcast Fight Night where Hospitality professionals take up their gloves in the name of charity. In the build up to the 16th March, we meet some of the fighters giving it their all over 12 weeks of training. Today we meet "Kasia The Basher" who explains why she got involved. Welcome to another episode of Meet The Fighters, the series where we introduce the athletes behind the fights and share the stories that drive them to compete at the highest level. In this episode, we shine the spotlight on Kasia Sadowska, a dedicated and determined fighter who continues to make her mark in the world of combat sports.Every fighter has a journey, and Kasia’s path is built on discipline, hard work, and an unbreakable mindset. From early training sessions to stepping into the ring, her story reflects the commitment required to succeed in one of the most demanding sports in the world. In this video, we take a closer look at her background, her mo…

Day 13 of 31 of highlighting the women of Talking Hospitality, celebrates Paramjit Nagra, whose appearance was a reminder that some of the best ideas in hospitality do not come from following the rules, but from being brave enough to back something different.As co-founder of Crazy Gin, she has helped build a brand that blends British and Indian identity through flavour, story and design, with the business going on to secure listings in Harvey Nichols and Michelin-starred venues.What stands out about Paramjit is that she has not just built a product, but a point of view. Her work shows how culture, heritage and originality can create something commercially strong and genuinely memorable, which is exactly why voices like hers matter in hospitality.#talkinghospitality #womeninhospitality #podcast #AuthenticFlavors #Gin #InternationalWomensDay #crazygin

Fight Night where Hospitality professionals take up their gloves in the name of charity. In the build up to the 16th March, we meet some of the fighters giving it their all over 12 weeks of training. Today we meet Visar Quqalla who explains why he is involved. Paul Gilley FIH Hospitality Action #hospitalityaction #fightnight #talkinghospitality #hospitality #boxing

Day 12 of 31 celebrates Sally Beck, one of hospitality’s most respected leaders and a brilliant example of calm, credible leadership in action.Still leading Royal Lancaster London, Sally continues to shape important conversations around people, wellbeing, recruitment and retention, while setting the standard for what strong hotel leadership looks like.#talkinghospitality #womeninhospitality #podcast #HospitalityCareers #InspirationalWomen #HotelManagement

Fight Night where Hospitality professionals take up their gloves in the name of charity.In the build up to the 16th March, we meet some of the fighters giving it their all over 12 weeks of training.Today we meet Jacob who explains why he got involved.#hospitalityaction #fightnight #talkinghospitality #hospitality #boxing

Navigating the 'gray area' of drinking can feel like a daily struggle.Day 11 of 31 celebrates Lynne Maltman, who appeared on Talking Hospitality speaking about the OYNB 90 Day Challenge and the power of choosing sobriety in hospitality.Since then, her work appears to have broadened into music, mental health and partnerships, while still reflecting the same honesty and advocacy that made her episode so powerful.She has helped show that changing your relationship with alcohol can open the door to wider purpose, healthier leadership and a different kind of impact. #talkinghospitality #womeninhospitality #podcast #MindfulDrinking #SoberCurious #PersonalGrowth

Why are Hospitality Professionals Taking Up Boxing?Paul Gilley, Founder of Fight Night and the Hospitality Festival explains #talkinghospitality #hospitalityaction #podcast #HospitalityIndustry

For day 10 of 31, we’re celebrating Jane Pendlebury, who joined Talking Hospitality back in season 1 and has continued to be a respected voice in the sector.Jane remains CEO of HOSPA, where she has helped keep the conversation moving around professional development, hotel performance, leadership and the commercial realities facing hospitality businesses, while continuing to play a visible role in HOSPACE and wider industry events.She represents the kind of leadership our industry needs more of: informed, steady and focused on helping hospitality people and businesses move forward.#talkinghospitality #womeninhospitality #podcast #HospitalityIndustry #CareerGrowth #InternationalWomensDay

This bonus episode of Talking Hospitality is recorded live at Confex in London and shines a light on an unusual but powerful initiative bringing the industry together.Timothy R Andrews sits down with Paul Gilley, founder of the London Hospitality Festival, to discuss Hospitality Fight Night — an event that takes hospitality professionals with no boxing experience and puts them through a 12-week training journey before stepping into the ring in front of hundreds of industry peers.But this event isn’t really about boxing.It’s about resilience, wellbeing, confidence and community. Participants train together, build friendships and challenge themselves in ways many never expected. The evening itself becomes a celebration of the industry, with leaders and colleagues gathering to support the fighters and raise funds for Hospitality Action, the charity that supports hospitality workers in times of crisis.Paul also shares the wider story behind the London Hospitality Festival — an…

This bonus episode of Talking Hospitality is recorded live at Confex in London and shines a light on an unusual but powerful initiative bringing the industry together.Timothy R Andrews sits down with Paul Gilley, founder of the London Hospitality Festival, to discuss Hospitality Fight Night — an event that takes hospitality professionals with no boxing experience and puts them through a 12-week training journey before stepping into the ring in front of hundreds of industry peers.But this event isn’t really about boxing.It’s about resilience, wellbeing, confidence and community. Participants train together, build friendships and challenge themselves in ways many never expected. The evening itself becomes a celebration of the industry, with leaders and colleagues gathering to support the fighters and raise funds for Hospitality Action, the charity that supports hospitality workers in times of crisis.Paul also shares the wider story behind the London Hospitality Festival — an eve…