The Company of Entrepreneurs is seeking public input on a debate it hopes will shape the decision to create a Minister for Hospitality role in Government.
Hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes have all been decimated by enforced closure and restrictive working arrangements as a result of the pandemic.
A subsequent petition calling on Government to create a dedicated Minister for Hospitality has attracted more than 160,000 signatures.
It was delivered to Parliament on 3 November and the petition will be debated on 11 January.
Ahead of that date, and to inform both MPs and the debate ahead of the parliamentary session, the Company of Entrepreneurs, Central London Alliance and UK Hospitality are hosting a Q&A session on 6 January at 4pm.
Responses will be offered to the Government and MPs in the form of a submission ahead of the parliamentary session.
A spokesperson for the Company said: “We need you to get involved. Tell us what you think and help UK hospitality to get the representation it deserves. And please do sign the petition too.”
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Ex-BBC presenter Jon Hammond will host a panel of experts from the hospitality sector.
Confirmed panel members
Chair: Company of Entrepreneurs Freeman, Jon Hammond, DL – former BBC presenter, now Professional Speaker, Influencer and Coach. Jon is also a Freeman of the Company of Entrepreneurs.
Claire Bosi, Editor at Chef & Restaurant Magazine UK & NYC and author of online petition calling for a Hospitality Minister to be appointed. This rapidly reached over 160,000 signatures and is the catalyst of this panel discussion.
Cyrus Todiwala OBE, DL, an Indian chef proprietor of Café Spice Namasté and a celebrity television chef. He trained at the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces chain in India, and rose to become executive chef for eleven restaurants within those hotels. Cyrus is also a Founding Freeman of The Company of Entrepreneurs.
Pervin Todiwala is at the centre of one of the most dynamic and enduring family businesses in the UK’s £3 billion Asian cuisine industry. She is an Honorary Dame d’ Escoffier of the Les Dames d’Escoffier, a worldwide philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the fields of food and hospitality. Pervin is also a Founding Freeman of The Company of Entrepreneurs.
Tony Matharu has founded many successful start-up organizations and businesses and combines his passion for hospitality with philanthropy, sport and community engagement. He is the founder and Chairman of Integrity International Group. A former winner of “Best Small Hotel Company” (Business Travel Awards) and former “Hotelier of the Year”, Tony has recently founded London’s latest independent hotel chain: Blue Orchid Hotels under his Integrity International Group. Tony is also a Freeman of The Company of Entrepreneurs.
Andrew Richardson. the managing director of Home House Collection which features London’s most exclusive private members’ club. Andrew is also a Freeman of The Company of Entrepreneurs.
Zoom details will be send out prior to the event, and people can register here.
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