Ten of the most influential women leaders in hospitality

The prevalence of women on boards has come a long way over the past 15 years. When gender diversity campaign the 30% Club was founded in 2010, the percentage of women on the boards of FTSE 100 companies was only 12.5%. By 2025 this had risen to 44.7%.

But while there is much to celebrate, there is also much more to do, Pavita Cooper, chair of the UK 30% Club noted at its 15^th anniversary event last year. Despite the number of women on boards increasing, the number of FTSE 100 female CEOs is only 9%, with the pace of change at the CEO level described as “glacial”.

It’s not hard to find evidence on the benefits of more diverse boards – both from a gender and race perspective. “Research tells us organisations that genuinely strive to achieve gender equality and leadership positions are likely to financially outperform their peers who do not. To put it simply, investing in women is good for business,” Cooper says.

Looking at the most recent data from the FTSE Women Leaders Review, supplier Diageo comes in seventh place on the list of FTSE 100 employers, with seven of its nine board positions held by women, and one female executive director role. Half of Whitbread’s 10 board positions are held by women.

The data for FTSE 250 reveals Greggs as the highest ranked among them, in 14^th place, with four of its eight board roles held by women. Domino’s Pizza Group is in 20^th place, with three of its seven board roles held by women. While SSP has a 50/50 male/female board split. However only two of nine board positions at both JD Wetherspoon and Mitchells & Butlers are held by women.

Given the scale of the hospitality sector and the fact most businesses are not listed, the data pool on the number of women in board and exec roles is harder to calculate. There has undoubtedly been progress in many parts of the sector. “Has it improved? Yes. Has it improved enough? Not nearly,” Christine Martin, co-founder of senior female mentoring scheme Boardwalk, tells MCA. It’s for exactly that reason that Boardwalk – which launched last year – was created.

While there may have been improvements to the numbers on the surface, there is an issue of ‘board stuffing’ with female NEDs, Martin suggests. “I think that’s reflective not just in hospitality but in the wider world.” The additional of female NEDs is an obvious positive, but Boardwalk is working to try and increase the number of females in executive positions, with those in chair and CEO roles “vanishingly rare”. “The other thing we see is the ‘one and done’ mentality. We’d like to see parity.”

Holly Addison, executive search specialist and co-founder of Balance the Board – an organisation which promotes diversity and inclusion through mentoring and leadership development, tells MCA that while progress is being made from a non-executive perspective, at board level, executive leadership positions for women across all sectors – particularly some of the service sectors – is going backwards.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the power of strong, accomplished female non-executives and chairs in their ability to shape how the CEO and executive committee then behave as regards to advancing women leaders,” she says. 

A concern for Addison is the succession of of executive committee and board roles is also “not looking very robust at all”. She works with clients around succession planning and talent mapping at the ’C minus two’ level. “Otherwise in three- or four-years’ time we’re going to have an even bigger problem.”

Because there are far fewer senior female leaders, the pressure on them is immense, particularly at CEO level, she says.

Discussing the tightrope women leaders have to work, she explains: “You need to be confident, but not too confident or that can be seen as aggressive, and you need to be approachable and personable, but not too approachable and personal as that can be seen as weak.”

With many women often primary care givers, it’s often harder in those most senior roles. “And not everybody wants to do it. I have the utmost admiration for women that are prepared to make the sacrifices and tread that very tricky tightrope to get to CEO level, and then to face the kind of scrutiny that can sometimes be quite unfair.”

What can be done to improve the status quo?

When it comes to progress, one thing is apparent – it’s not just down to women to make change happen - it’s everybody’s responsibility to make change happen.

“We can’t do this on our own, and there are many male executives and allies I know that work really hard to develop, coach and mentor women in their organisations.” It’s an area in which reverse and mutual mentoring can be really powerful, she adds.

Boardwalk has consciously made sure half of its mentors are men, including Hawksmoor’s Will Beckett, Loungers’ Justin Carter, Pret’s Pano Christou and Pizza Pilgrims’ Thom Elliot.

“If we’re going to change anything, we need men to promote these women to boards,” Martin says. The programme also means that these male leaders are learning more about what female leadership looks like. “We need men and women to lean in to solve this problem. If we are just going to wait for women to promote other women, then we’re not going to make it for several millennia.”

More progressive policies – particularly around maternity pay and flexibility - is something the sector could be better at, she adds. However, a key takeaway from mentors is the importance of two ‘c’s - confidence and commerciality - for women to succeed in climbing the leadership ladder into board positions. 

We need to encourage women to ‘just go for it”, Martin says. “And while you don’t have to be a finance director to be on a board, you have to know how to interrogate numbers. If you don’t know that, then learn fast; spend some time with your CFO. Make sure that you really understand the commercials. Because that’s one of the things that is coming back – they’re not seeing enough commerciality.”

Once women have broken through the glass ceiling, it’s important they have people to support and advocate for them. “It’s not enough to promote a woman into an Ex-Co or a CEO role,” Addison adds. “We have to make sure that they have the right support network, the right sponsorship, and sufficient resources to enable them to succeed. “Setting them up for success in an environment of trust and support is really, really key.”

The top tier

It goes without saying that the women on MCA’s most influential list have both confidence and commerciality in spades. “It’s one hell of a list,” Martin says. “And we have to be optimistic about that. And for younger women in the industry, seeing that there are lots of women in leadership positions is positive reinforcement that they can do it – it’s achievable.”

There has previously also been a breed of women that have pulled the ladder up after them and not wanted to be a ‘poster child’ advocating for other women leaders, Addison says. “That’s really sad because ultimately the more positive role models that we have the better that succession pipeline is going to be. What I’m delighted to see is that the people on MCA’s list are all women who advocate for and support other women. That’s what the next generation needs to see – that there is a pathway to success.”

Ten of the most influential women in hospitality

Paula MacKenzie, CEO, PizzaExpress 

A powerhouse in the UK restaurant sector and described by many as “an inspirational leader”, Paula MacKenzie joined PizzaExpress as CEO in May 2022, heading up a team of 10,000 globally.

With more than 20 years’ experience in experience in the F&B sector, MacKenzie joined the pizza restaurant business following five years as managing director at KFC UK & Ireland. She has also worked in strategic roles for Diageo, GSK, innocent and Ernst & Young.

Speaking on Balance the Board’s recent Conversations in Confidence podcast, MacKenzie recommended that women “say yes to lateral opportunities, and be bold and take risks”, as gaining a variety of experience in different business functions can help give you the confidence to take on more senior roles.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be on this list of talented leaders, who also happen to be female,” she tells MCA. “We’re privileged to lead an industry in which many brilliant women are shaping its future – and for PizzaExpress, that’s true across every aspect of our brand, whether it’s in our restaurants, operations team or our people team.

“I have a real passion for mentoring up and coming talent and I’m committed to championing the next generation of female leaders.”

Roisin Currie CBE, CEO, Greggs

Having grown up in Glasgow and graduating from Strathclyde University having read Business Law and Business Management, Roisin Currie embarked on a career with Asda, joining their graduate programme during the era of Archie Norman and Allan Leighton.

She spent 20 years in various roles across the UK, leaving the business to join Greggs as group people director in 2010. Currie went on to become retail operations and people director in 2017, and then retail and property director in 2021, before being appointed chief executive in May 2022. In 2025, she was awarded a CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for her services to hospitality.

“I’ve always been incredibly proud to work in the retail and hospitality sector. It’s an industry full of energy, optimism, and opportunity, where no two days are ever the same,” Currie tells MCA. “What I love most is the people – colleagues who show real passion, resilience, and commitment, and the customers we proudly serve, every day.

“This sector gives individuals the chance to grow, develop their careers, and achieve things they may never have thought possible. For me, being part of an industry so deeply connected to communities, and so focused on serving others, is both motivating and rewarding.”

Laura Harper-Hinton, CEO and co-founder of Caravan Restaurants & Coffee 

Originally from New Zealand, Laura Harper-Hinton studied Law, Politics and Philosophy before finding her way into hospitality. After moving to London, she went on to run a high-profile events company as managing director.

In 2010, she opened the first Caravan with co-founders Chris Ammermann and Miles Kirby, helping to shape London’s all-day dining scene with bold, globally inspired food and speciality, in-house roasted coffee.

Today, Harper-Hinton leads the Certified B Corp business as it continues to grow across the UK, from its current estate of nine restaurants, two Brew Bars and a coffee school.

Her contribution to both restaurant and coffee sectors has recently been recognised with ‘Trailblazer of the Year Award’ at The Casual Dining Awards 2024, ‘Industry Icon’ Award at the Peach 20/20 Awards 2025 and ‘Outstanding Contribution’ Award at the European Coffee & Hospitality Awards 2025.

Sarah Willingham, CEO and co-founder, Nightcap

A prominent entrepreneur and serial investor with a career spanning hospitality and consumer facing lifestyle businesses, Sarah Willingham has been named among the Sunday Times’ 500 Most Influential People in Britain, City AM’s 100 Most Influential Entrepreneurs and Courvoisier’s Future 500.

Also known for her roles as a judge on BBC The Restaurant alongside Raymond Blanc and as a Dragon on BBC Dragons’ Den, Willingham co-owned the Bombay Bicycle Club group, growing it to the largest chain of Indian restaurants in the UK before founding bar group Nightcap with her husband, which they floated on AIM in 2021 before taking it private last year. She is also chair of Tonkotsu and Rockwater.

“Hospitality gave me my career, but it also taught me early on that work and fun are not mutually exclusive – alongside resilience, pace and accountability,” she tells MCA. “The incredible women featured on this list have led some of the UK’s most complex and scaled hospitality businesses, often through periods of real challenge, not least today.

“The opportunity now is to turn that leadership into legacy: by backing talent earlier, sharing experience more openly, and ensuring the next generation of brilliant women can see a clear route from the floor to the boardroom.”

Kate Nicholls OBE, chair, UKHospitality 

Promoted to chair at UKHospitality in June 2025 – the first time the organisation has had a full-time paid chair – Nicholls was previously CEO of the hospitality sector trade body since its inception in 2018. Prior to that she worked as CEO and strategic affairs director of the Association of Licenced Multiple Retailers. Her current role as chair enables her to build on her work as a leading advocate and ambassador for the sector.

Nicholls also sits on the government’s Tourism, Hospitality, and Food & Drink Sector Councils, where she represents the wider hospitality and tourism sector. And she is chair of the Institute of Licensing, a board member of Best Bar None, and a trustee of Hospitality Action and Springboard.

“I am honoured and not a little humbled to be included in such a list of some truly amazing women but more importantly this is a list of leaders in the sector as a whole, not just a list of influential women – this is about more than just gender,” Nicholls tells MCA.

“The list includes some of the women who inspired me at the start of my career at Whitbread, such as Karen Jones, those who have stood shoulder to shoulder with me on facing government through covid and battling recovery, like Jane O’Riordan, and those who have supported, encouraged and inspired me – quietly getting on with building, turning around and driving forward great brands in the toughest times.

“It is a truism that you can’t be what you can’t see, and they have been visible leaders, generous with their time and passionate about developing opportunities for all.”

Lauren Schultz, UK CEO, McDonald’s

Joining McDonald’s UK & Ireland’s senior leadership team as chief executive, in September 2025, Lauren Schultz now heads up the largest fast food brand in the UK. While only having been in her new role a short time, Schultz brings with her experience across multiple areas of the business acquired during her 16-year career at McDonald’s.

Most recently she served as vice president of the field office, which spans 1,200 restaurants and around 180 owner/operators across seven US states. During her three-year tenure, she led a regional turnaround in Columbus with a relentless focus on transforming talent and culture, inspiring a growth mindset, and driving accountability and partnership across the business. Experience she is sure to bring to the UK business.

Dame Karen Jones, chair, Federal Cafes and Hawksmoor 

Awarded a CBE in June 2006 for services to the hospitality industry, and a DBE in June 2022 for services to business and hospitality, Dame Karen Jones has had an undeniable impact on the sector – and still does.

Co-founder and MD of The Pelican Group, Jones founded Café Rouge alongside Roger Myers, opening the first site in 1989 and scaling it to 100 sites by 1996. Following the sale of Pelican to Whitbread that same year, Jones went on to become CEO at Spirit Group in 1999, leaving following the £2.7bn sale of the group to Punch Taverns in 2006. Jones then went on to co-found Food and Fuel – a collection of 12 London gastro pubs which were sold to The Restaurant Group in 2018.

With a host of previous non-executive directorships, including executive chair at Prezzo and co-founder and chair at Frontier Pub Group, she is currently a non-executive director at Whitbread and Mowgli, chair at Federal Cafes – backed by Foresight Group, chair and investor at Hawksmoor, a senior independent director at The Crown Estate and advisor at Punch Pub Group. Alongside all that, Jones co-chairs the Hospitality Sector Council.

Jane O’Riordan, chair of Caravan and NED at Red Engine

A seasoned hospitality leader and board chair with over 25 years in the sector, Jane O’Riordan currently chairs Caravan Restaurants, serves as a non-executive director at Flight Club and Electric Shuffle operator Red Engine, and has a number of board advisory roles. She also sits on the UK Hospitality Sector Council, where she chairs the Innovation Working Group.

O’Riordan’s career includes senior roles at Nando’s, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and PizzaExpress, which she says have given her deep expertise in scaling high-growth, consumer-led brands.

Beginning her career as a spacecraft systems engineer with British Aerospace, before joining the strategic consulting division of Deloitte, O’Riordan made the move into hospitality after moving to South Africa where she ended up working for Yellowwoods Associates – a private investment group, and was instrumental in growing Nando’s in the UK, spending 22 years at the restaurant group – latterly as group strategy director

She was also involved in several major sector deals through her role at Yellowwoods, including the acquisitions of PizzaExpress in 2003, ASK and Zizzi in 2005, and Gourmet Burger Kitchen in 2010. O’Riordan is also an NED at Octopus Titan VCT – the UK’s largest technology investor.

Clair Preston-Beer, COO, Greene King 

Joining Greene King as managing director for Greene King Pubs in November 2020, and taking a place on the executive board, Clair Preston-Beer moved into her current role as chief operating officer in September 2024, and is responsible for central marketing, technology & digital, procurement, innovation & efficiency and property.

Prior to joining the pub company and brewer, she worked for Costa Coffee, joining the then Whitbread-owned brand in 2003 as an area manager. She moved on to a variety of roles in the managed franchised and international businesses and was instrumental in the expansion of the brand across the globe. She was also part of the executive board that demerged Costa from Whitbread and ensured the successful sale of the business to Coca-Cola.

“I thoroughly love the energy and the people in the hospitality sector. Everyone is energised by working to create experiences for our customers who visit for all those special moments throughout the year,” she tells MCA. “I have never wanted to work for long periods in an office or behind a desk, I’d rather be on the move, meeting different people and having a positive impact on society.

“I chose retail and hospitality because I thought it would be a great place to do this – and it has been! I have always been inspired by so many female leaders in this space, and particularly their commitment to helping me and many others fulfil their potential.”

Susan Chappell, divisional director, Mitchells & Butlers

With three decades at Mitchells & Butlers, Susan Chappell has played a pivotal role in shaping some of the industry’s most recognisable brands. Appointed divisional director in 2016, she now leads the company’s City Division, All Bar One, Browns Brasseries, Nicholson’s Pubs and the Castle Pub collection.

A committed advocate for talent development, she champions emerging leaders and drives a culture where people feel empowered to grow. Her influence extends far beyond commercial results; she is widely regarded as a role model for women in hospitality and a vocal supporter of inclusive career pathways into leadership.

“The hospitality industry is constantly evolving, and our success depends on how well we evolve with it,” she tells MCA. “I’m passionate about building strong, empowered teams and shaping brands that truly connect with today’s guests.

“Leadership, for me, is about clarity, trust and creating the environments for people to flourish and do their best work. I feel privileged to help drive that every day, and am proud to support the next generation of hospitality leaders.”

A MESSAGE FROM THE SPONSOR 

“Diversity is more important than ever and empowering people to succeed is the hallmark of the best UK hospitality teams.

Here at Carlsberg Britvic we are proud to support these editorial spotlights, by MCA, on fantastic diversity initiatives within our sector.”

Find out more about the people beyond our beverages and the diverse careers we offer.

- Emma King, hospitality director, Carlsberg Britvic