Meet the changemakers behind hospitality's next chapter, the HT360 2027 Ambassadors. These Ambassadors aren't just leading in their field, they're redefining how technology powers people, performance and guest experience across every service model. From smart operations to brand-building strategy, they understand your challenges because they've lived them. 

They're bringing their insights to HT360, joining the 360° movement to help shape conversations, spotlight breakthrough solutions, and drive hospitality's digital future forward.

Matt Bell 
Managing Director - Mollies 

Matt Bell is a seasoned hospitality executive and Managing Director at Mollie’s, where he leads the brand’s UK expansion. Mollie’s is positively different by design: bold yet modest, stylish yet relaxed, always warm and fun. Under Matt’s leadership, the brand combines nostalgic Americana with innovative technology and a carefully curated, effortless guest experience that delivers outstanding value. Prior to Mollie’s, Matt was Chief Hotel Operations Officer at citizenM, overseeing a portfolio of award-winning hotels in some of the world's greatest cities. His career also includes leadership roles at The Hospital Club and Seaham Hall Hotel & Spa. Known for his strategic vision and commitment to authentic, tech-enabled hospitality, Matt continues to shape the future of affordable luxury. 


 


 

Jane Pendlebury
CEO - HOSPA

Jane Pendlebury is CEO of HOSPA | The Hospitality Professionals Association. Her relationship with HOSPA was first as a sponsor and member, then - after volunteering her time assisting with the annual conference HOSPACE - she was taken on to run the Membership and Events office before being promoted to CEO in early 2016. Kickstarting her career with a degree in hotel management, Jane worked with both chain and independent hotels. Thereafter, she spent many years assisting hotels and restaurants with their technology decisions around Property Management, Point of Sale and Revenue Management. This culminated into a role as VP and General Manager covering Europe for a global hospitality software house. Jane is an enthusiastic supporter of hospitality and always remains a positive advocate for the industry! 


 


 

Chris Fletcher
Founder & CEO  - Stacked

 

Chris Fletcher, known across the industry as Fletch, is Founder & CEO of Stacked, the business he set up in 2022 to simplify how hospitality businesses buy and manage their technology.  He brings more than 25 years of operational leadership across some of the UK's best-known brands, including Whitbread, Hard Rock, Virgin Active, Sky and Carluccio's, culminating in Director of Operations and Exec Board Member at Pieminister. He has also seen the industry from the tech side as Marketing Evangelist at Deliverect. That blend of operator, board and supplier experience is the foundation of Stacked. The team works with 100+ of the best tech solutions in hospitality, auditing, advising and supporting operators through procurement and onboarding, while helping tech partners reach new audiences. Chris also founded Weareservice and recruitment business Stacked Search.  On becoming an ambassador, Chris says: "I've spent my career on both sides of the table, signing tech contracts as an operator and helping sell them as a supplier, and I know how much time and money gets lost when the two don't understand each other. HT360 is one of the few places where restaurant, pub and hotel operators can see the whole landscape in one room, ask the awkward questions and learn from peers who've already been there. I'm genuinely excited to be part of it, and to help every operator who walks through the door leave with clearer answers and the confidence to make better tech decisions.


 


 

Tom James
Managing Director - Bills Restaurants

Tom has worked in hospitality for more than thirty years, ever since his first job collecting glasses at his local pub. He went on to become a senior manager at Henry J Bean’s and Revolution, as well as at two independent restaurants in Jersey and Bristol. For the last fifteen years, he has held senior director roles across a wide variety of businesses, including Jamie’s Italian, Coppa Club and Harbour Hotels. Tom joined Bill’s in October 2021 as Group Operations Director and has been Managing Director of the much-loved, all-day casual dining brand for the past four years. Together with his management team, he has led Bill’s to record sales, doubled EBITDA between 2022 and 2024, and returned the business to expansion, growing the estate to 50 sites with the opening at Heathrow Terminal 2 in summer 2026. With a real passion for people and innovation, Tom chairs the Innovation Working Group for the Hospitality Sector Council, where he leads a number of initiatives to help the wider industry harness the benefits of technology and innovation. He is also a mentor for Boardwalk, working with the charity to help more women into board roles. 


 


 

Tommy Giraux
Head of Restaurant Systems - Honest Burgers

Tommy is the Head of Restaurant Systems at Honest Burgers with 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He began his career in France during his early teenage years. Upon moving to London in 2007, he served as the General Manager for Costa Coffee and Itsu Restaurants. In 2014, he was promoted to Operations Manager at Honest Burgers, and later in 2020, he transitioned to a Tech role. In this capacity, he oversaw technology and systems at Honest Burgers and ensured their integration within the tech stack. 


 


 

William Connors
International Service Delivery Manager - Starbucks

William Connors is an international hospitality technology leader with more than 20 years of experience driving digital transformation across global restaurant and retail brands. Currently serving as International Service Delivery Manager at Starbucks, he leads the development and deployment of digital solutions across more than 5,200 stores spanning EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. William specializes in hospitality technology, EPOS, payments, loyalty, data integration, AI, digital ordering, and operational transformation. Throughout his career, he has held senior technology leadership roles with brands including Starbucks, Wingstop UK, Wahaca, Burger King, and Popeyes UK, delivering large-scale technology modernisation programmes, improving profitability, and enhancing customer experiences. He is a trusted advisor to franchise organisations, executives, and investors, helping businesses align technology strategy with sustainable growth and operational excellence. 


 


 

Kian Yazdi  
Chief Executive Officer - Tops Pizza

Kian Yazdi is CEO of Tops Pizza, one of the UK’s longest-established pizza franchise brands, with nearly 100 locations nationwide. Having taken the reins of the family business founded by his father, Kian is leading its next chapter of growth by strengthening operations, investing in the franchise network and modernising the business while staying true to the values it was built on. With a background spanning professional tennis, technology and AI, Kian brings a distinctive perspective on leadership, operational excellence and the role of innovation in hospitality. Today, Tops Pizza is supported by its own warehouse and distribution network, supplying both its restaurants and more than 200 independent operators across the UK! 


 


 

Mitz Patel
Global Head of Information Technology Delivery - Soho House

Mitz has spent much of the last 10 years working in the hospitality sector - bringing some of the best and cutting edge technology to the organisations he's worked with. His most valuable skill is building relationships - with the operational side of businesses, customers, suppliers or the teams he's led. Having started his career at David Lloyd Leisure and most recently playing a part in bringing the IT stack at Prezzo Italian ahead of its competition, he is now at Soho House looking at new technology and innovation to enhance the member / customer journey. You'll be pleased to know he didn't use Ai to write this! 


 


 

Mecca Ibrahim
Co-Founder - Women in The Food Industry

Mex Ibrahim is a gender equality advocate and co-founder of Women in the Food Industry, a non-profit social enterprise advancing inclusion, leadership, and empowerment across the sector. With expertise in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and ethical eating, she is a trustee of the charity School Food Matters, a member of The Guild of Food Writers, and an advisory board member at New Food Magazine. She also runs a successful digital strategy business. She was named Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion at the 2025 Speciality & Fine Food Fair Awards and voted The Staff Canteen’s Hospitality Hero in 2025. Earlier in 2026 she won Women of The Year – Sales and Communications in the inaugural Women in Food & Drink Awards.