Sustainable Hotels Podcast

Duarte Gonçalves da Cunha, General Manager Viceroy at Ombria Algarve

Sue Williams, Hotelier & Independent Sustainability Advisor at Positive Hospitality

Today I sit down with Sue Williams to explore her career leading some of the UK's most iconic luxury hotels; spearheading sustainability at Whatley Manor; and life as a sustainability consultant, giving back to the wider industry. 

Throughout her time at Whatley Manor, Sue Williams was recognised for her focus on sustainability and excellence in hospitality. She worked to elevate the hotel’s profile, maintaining its reputation for outstanding guest experiences and promoting eco-conscious practices. Under her management, Whatley Manor strengthened its position as a leading luxury destination as well as achieving Earth Check accreditation.

Most recently recognised for her Outstanding Contribution to the industry at the AA Hospitality Awards 2024.

Danny Pecorelli, Managing Director at Exclusive Collection

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming the inspirational leader that is Danny Pecorelli, Managing Director of Exclusive Collection. Recently recognised in the Brit List Awards for his “outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry” Danny is not only a titan of the hotel world but he is a real trailblazer in sustainability too, leading the way for many of his peers in sustainable hospitality.

Dr Vincent Walsh, Regenerative Living Systems Expert and Head of Innovation at RegenFarmCo

Joining me today is the amazing Dr Vincent Walsh, expert in designing for circularity and regenerative living systems. Having had the pleasure of listening to Vinny speak many times I am excited to share his unbelievable knowledge with you, and aim to simplify things to a point that it becomes tangible for us to all to follow his ethos

Tommie Eaton, Founder of BambuuBrush and Director at Clean the World

In this week's episode we're exploring the sustainability pillar; environment and I have the pleasure of sitting down for a conversation with the amazing Tommie Eaton.

 

Tommie is the founder of Bambu Brush, UK director of Clean the world and TED X Speaker. He joins us to share his story, and the remarkable experiences that have led him from backpacker to leading sustainability advocate

 

We explore the fundamental differences between the universal mission to Net Zero and the concept of building a circular economy to highlight the importance of building a sustainable future, not an empty one.

 

Tommie opens my eyes to the real depths of the plastic crisis, and questions whether we are the “plastic generation”.

 

Filled with insights and statistics, this episode is both eye-opening and empowering on our mission to build a more conscious future.

Eugene Gilkes, Business Growth and Leadership Development Consultant at IncludeMe

We’re changing things up a little this week and focussing on one of our key sustainability pillars; people. To me, your people are your biggest asset, and there’s no one better to tell us how to care for our people than diversity equity and inclusion expert, Eugene Gilkes.

 

Following his success as a professional decathlete, Eugene used his experience and expertise to build a leadership consultancy focusing on DE&I.

 

Eugene shares with us his approach to DE&I, why the current system is failing us, and how we should be leading with inclusion.

 

Our conversation explores the importance of trust in the workplace and how that trust disseminates through the chain, from internal teams right down to guests and customers

 

So, if you’d like to increase your understanding of DE&I, learn how to foster an inclusive culture and ultimately build trust in your teams, this ones for you… 

Philip Steiner, General Manager at Bankside London

Philip shares his journey so far; from his love of hotels at a young age, to being appointed as General Manager and subsequently opening The Moxy and Residences, Slough in the midst of Covid, to joining the team at Bankside in 2022.

 

Bankside is nestled in the heart of London’s Southbank and pays homage to it’s local arts and culture scene. As part of the Autograph Collection, Philip talks of Bankside’s “mark” being their seamless connection to art at every touch point. With a passion for art himself, it’s clear that Philip has found himself at home in this gorgeous property.

 

We discuss the three pillars that makes Bankside so unique and explore the ways that Community, Art and Sustainability are seamlessly integrated in everything that they do.

 

Awarded HSMAI young hotelier of the year in 2022 and top 25 hotelier in the 2023 Brit list, Philip shares his inspirational leadership style and ways of empowering his team to create lasting memories for every guest.

Samantha van Exter, Head of Hotels at the Montcalm Collection

Welcome to this week’s episode of Sustainable Hotels Podcast where I have the pleasure of sitting down the Samantha van Exter , Head of hotels for the Montcalm Collection.

We’re meeting at the collections newest concept hotel; Inhabit in the heart of Bayswater. Named the “urban retreat”, Inhabit is a series of seven homey Victorian townhouses come together with wellness at their heart, creating a tranquil retreat in the heart of the city. 

As part of Design Hotels, and recently awarded B-Crop certification, inhabit is forging the path of Montcalm Collection’s Sustainability journey.

Samantha shares her journey so far, her passion for supporting small business and entrepreneurs and her mantra to give everyone time for their elevator pitch, as you never know what you will learn and what new partnerships will grow because of it.

We discuss the importance of storytelling, taking your guests on a journey and enhancing their experience at every opportunity. Whether that’s through their interaction with the building, your team or the community. By offering stories to elevate each moment you have the opportunity to share knowledge and create memories that will last a lifetime.