How has hospitality recruitment changed — and can it survive another crisis?
In this episode of Talking Hospitality, Timothy R Andrews and Joe McDonnell are joined by Gary King, owner of Collins King & Associates, to talk about careers, resilience, recruitment and the reality of navigating hospitality through multiple waves of disruption.
Gary shares his personal journey from training as a chef and working with football clubs like Tottenham and Arsenal, to building a long-standing career in hospitality recruitment. He reflects on the lessons learned from decades in the industry, from the 1990 downturn to the 2008 financial crash, the pandemic, Brexit and the challenges hospitality businesses face today.
The conversation explores what has changed in recruitment, what has not, and why specialist recruiters still matter. LinkedIn, job boards and AI have transformed how people connect, but hospitality remains an industry built on trust, relationships and a real understanding of people. Gary explains why lived experience in the sector still makes a difference when spotting talent, understanding team dynamics and helping businesses make better hiring decisions.
This episode also digs into “culture fit” in hospitality, why the term needs care, and how great recruiters look beyond CVs and job titles to understand the personalities and pressures inside a business.
If you work in hospitality, recruitment or people leadership, this is a grounded conversation about surviving change, staying optimistic and continuing to build careers in a challenging market.
In this episode:
* Gary King’s route from chef to recruiter
* Working with football clubs early in his career
* Building Collins King & Associates
* Surviving downturns, Covid and change
* How hospitality recruitment has evolved
* LinkedIn, AI and the future of hiring
* Why human recruiters still matter
* How to think about culture fit properly
Talking Hospitality is the podcast where real hospitality people share practical experience, honest reflections and useful ideas for the future of the industry.
Names and organisations mentioned
People:
* Gary King
* Timothy R Andrews
* Joe McDonnell
* Matt Collins
* Martin Smith
* Greg Lawson
* Angela Hartnett
* Ed Vokes
* Claire Downs
Organisations:
* Collins King & Associates
* Blue Arrow
* Reed
* Tottenham Hotspur
* Arsenal
* Smart Group
* Evolve Hospitality
* Institute of Hospitality
* Kevin Campbell Foundation
* Springboard
* Association of Catering Excellence
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This is more than just a podcast — it's a platform for voices across the global hospitality industry. At Talking Hospitality, we bring together the people who live and breathe service — from hotel executives, restaurant owners, chefs, and marketers to educators, designers, and startup founders transforming the way we experience hospitality.
Each episode explores the real stories, strategies, and challenges behind the scenes of hospitality — from luxury hotels and fine dining to sustainable tourism, F&B innovation, and customer experience. Whether you’re a student just starting out or a seasoned professional looking for fresh inspiration, you'll find something here that speaks to your passion and purpose.
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Career guidance, entrepreneurship journeys, and leadership lessons
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