More than 50 hospitality leaders, including CEOs from Greggs, Punch Pubs, Pizza Express, Virgin Atlantic, Nando’s, and Warner Hotels, have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to building inclusive, equitable workplaces.
The pledge, led by WiHTL & Diversity in Retail (DiR), emphasises that inclusion is no longer just an ethical responsibility but a core business priority that drives talent retention, innovation, and long-term success.
“As CEOs, we recognise that inclusion and equity are not just principles we aspire to uphold - they are fundamental to the success of our companies,” the statement reads.
The commitment reflects a growing industry focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as a driver of business resilience. Hospitality CEOs highlight that creating inclusive workplaces is essential for attracting top talent, strengthening company culture, and meeting evolving customer expectations.
Andy Spencer, CEO of Punch Pubs, reinforced that inclusion is now a board-level priority influencing hiring and investment decisions. Robbie Feather, Group CEO of The Very Group, added that fostering an equitable workplace remains a key strategy for engagement and retention.
Paul Pomroy, CEO of Warner Hotels, underlined the business benefits of inclusion: “Our responsibility is to ensure every team member feels valued, welcomed, and celebrated for the diverse experiences they bring.”
With hospitality businesses facing ongoing operational challenges, leaders agree that inclusion must be embedded into core business strategy rather than treated as a standalone initiative.
Tea Colaianni, founder and chair of WiHTL & DiR, emphasised the importance of industry-wide collaboration: “This pledge will help build trust with colleagues and attract top talent across hospitality.”
