Webinar Panellists

Meet the panellists who will be attending our webinars and read more about them.

Julian Edwards

GY5 & Chairman of FCSI UK & Ireland
Following a career as a chef, then working in contract catering, that in more recent years in the public sector, I became a food service consultant. At the time it was a chance interview with a great chap who helped schools with their administration and we, between us, agreed that I could set up and run a catering department for tendering, auditing, design & planning and training. 11 years later after the company merged with another organisation, I set up GY5, on my own and within the first month the only thing I missed was a decent photocopier – which I quickly invested in 2021 celebrates 25 years of being an independent consultant.

Ann Elliott

Ann has over 30 years’ experience of living and breathing hospitality. She works with businesses to solve strategic questions by focussing on customer needs, cutting through the noise and getting to the crux of an operator challenge. Ann understands and loves the industry bringing insight, people and creative solutions together. Supporting and connecting industry leaders and giving them a chance to grow, network and most importantly have a voice is incredibly important to her.

She is a NED, a speaker and facilitator, a co-founder of Plan B mentoring, a founder of the Hartwell Dinner Group, an Arena board member, a member of both the UKH events and casual dining committees, and a regular contributor to Propel events.

MaryJane Flanagan (mj)MBPsS

Mary-Jane (MJ) Flanagan – is an experienced manager and operator having spent several decades in the hospitality industry. Her experience is varied from worked for Lord Forte to being part of the set up team and running the All Bar One brand. She joined Purple Cubed in 2003 becoming Training Director in 2006. MJ has built a loyal client base, across sectors as diverse as hospitality and tourism, finance, healthcare and retail. In addition she has become a sought after speaker in the UK and abroad for organisations such as Small Luxury Hotels, Relais Chateaux, Pride of Britain Hotels and the AICR.

She formed mjinspire ltd in Jan 2016 and has chosen to focus on core customer service, cultural change, strategy and board facilitation, presentation skills and leadership training that develops, engages and allows delegates and organizations to flourish and succeed.

MJ is passionate about learning and the development of people to enable them to provide the highest possible standards in all areas. As someone who has proved the benefits of taking a systematic approach, she favours a style, which is motivational, robust, highly interactive, practical and relevant, which can take the business forward ensuring a return on investment, which improves the bottom line.

Qualifications:
BSc Hons Psychology
HND Hotel and catering management
HNC Wine and spirit education trust
Leadership excellence – Disney Institute
Licensed practitioner Strength Deployment Inventory

Giovanna Grossi

After graduating with a degree in Accountancy from Manchester University, Giovanna followed her passion inherited from her father and joined her family restaurant businesses as operations manager.

After 11 years running two very busy restaurants, an 18 year career with AA Hotel Services then ensued, first as a hotel and restaurant inspector and then eventually as head of inspections, quality standards and awards. In 2016 after the sudden passing of her long term partner, Giovanna decided to focus on her passion for training and start her own consultancy business, Giovanna Grossi Hospitality. In 2019 she also launched Sauce Intelligence along with good friend and ex Caterer Magazine editor, Amanda Afiya, focusing on bespoke Mystery Guest visits and tailored solutions for hotels and restaurants.

During the pandemic, whilst hospitality remained closed, Giovanna took some time out to train as a Lifestyle Consultant for award wining luxury skincare and spa brand, Temple Spa; a brand she is passionate about and has used herself for many years. It’s proven so enjoyable and successful that it’s something she will continue alongside her existing hospitality consultancy businesses as they reopen. Giovanna is a Fellow of The Institute of Hospitality and an ambassador for Hospitality Action.

Vic Laws, MBE, FIH, FCSI

Director of AVL Consultancy, which he set up in 1986. He is a caterer by choice having trained at, what is now University of West London, but in those days Acton Hotel School.

He worked for seven years in local authority catering, then as a director of such companies as THF, Compass, Aramark and Spinneys. AVL specialises in strategic reviews and market testing for schools, colleges, universities and leisure complexes. AVL has also provided membership and administrative services to LACA, ACE, FCSI and TUCO.

He is a Fellow and past president of Institute for Hospitality (formally HCIMA) and currently Hon. President of London Branch. A member and on the committee of the Reunion des Gastronomes, Sabre D’or and Consellier Culinaire for Chaîne des Rotisseurs. He is also on the committee of the Friends of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.

Vic is the Group Restaurant Ambassador for The Clink Charity, which runs public restaurants in prisons at HMP Highdown, Brixton Styal and Cardiff. The charity is dedicated to training prisoners to become chefs and waiters so they have a career when they leave prison and thus are less likely to re-offend. He has set up a team of six trainers who help in this task, on a pro bono basis. Vic’s role is also to raise the awareness of the project within the Industry and help with the establishment of five more ‘Clinks’ in the next five years.

He has an Honorary Doctorate from UWL and is a visiting Fellow for Sheffield Hallam University. Vic was awarded an MBE in 2011 for services to the hospitality industry.

Alistair N. Sandall FIH

Alistair N. Sandall FIH, Head of Professional Development at Institute of Hospitality previously worked as a general manager with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, Thistle Hotels, and Hanover International Hotels and Clubs for over twenty years. He also spent three years with Southern Sun Hotels in South Africa and joined AA Hotel & Hospitality Services in 2006. Ultimately he was the Commercial Manager as well as a Senior Inspector and continued to inspect hotels and restaurants for a period of over 11 years. He also headed up the training and consultancy division and looked after key client relationships. He took the HCIMA Final Membership qualification at Ealing Technical College (now West London University) as his route into the hospitality industry and has been a member of the Institute of Hospitality throughout his career. He is well-versed in the range of professional development resources he manages, and brings the necessary experience to develop the industry’s next generation of managers and leaders.

Hospitality and quality are in Alistair’s DNA.

Mark Taylor FIH

Director of bloom foodservice ltd
I am passionate about the Foodservice & Hospitality Industry and committed to the people who work in it. Following a formal professional catering background and then 30 years working in various sales; training & development; commercial and people management roles for large multinational food manufacturers (all in Foodservice & Hospitality) – it’s time to help companies; brands & products enjoy the growth & success I have strived for.

During my career to date, my achievements include winning the coveted Public Sector Caterer of the Year Award 2019; The National Association of Care Catering Pam Rhodes Award for Outstanding Contribution Award in 2018. I am also actively involved with the National Association of Care Catering where I hold the role of Regional Chair for the South East Region. During the recent lockdown I was delighted to be involved with the creation of the newly relaunched Institute of Hospitality Thames Valley Branch, where I am proud to be one of two Co-Vice Chairs.

Louise Wagstaffe

Delicious by Design
Louise is a culinary entrepreneur and experienced chef, with three decades of experience of the food industry. Louise established Delicious by Design in 2009. This business allowed Louise to concentrate on her passion for the pleasure that comes from simple food done well.

Louise’s work at Delicious by Design has included:

• Senior culinary advisor for Premier Foods
• Home Economist for Coeliac UK
• Chef in Residence at McCormicks Foods
• Working with a number of celebrity chefs; demonstration and TV work.
• Working with major food manufacturers on projects related to the development of business within food service.
• Working with authors and food writers on a number of recipe and food history books.

Louise firmly believes that good food habits start early, and so she is a great believer in educating children about good food. She believes that everyone has the right good food and as such has extensive experience in working with groups such as children, those needing a gluten free diet, and those with dysphagia.

Louise lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband and two children.

Ken Winch

Ken Winch Design
To the best of my knowledge, I became the first design consultant in 1969 when I formed FSD to design projects created by the first truly independent consultancy founded by George Wall the former Catering Manager for Ford Motor, one of my major clients whilst in sales for the UK premier fabrication company over a ten year period.

My training as an apprentice in Plant Engineering provided the skills required for the manufacturing aspects but I am still learning the foodservice side of our profession.

My work has been at the highest level including a number of Royal Palaces and significant buildings,4/5 Star International City/Resort hotels, Gentlemen’s Clubs, High end public restaurants and major Corporate HQ.

These have resulted in some 28 International awards for Excellence in Design including recognition for my services to the Foodservice Manufacturing industry both here and the USA.

I was the UK founding member of FCSI in 1981 and served in every Trustee position to include Chair of EAME and WW President and was appointed a Fellow of the Society in 2009.

My working career has now extended to 71 years with 62 of these within our industry of which 52 years has been as an independent consultant.