We are pleased to announce our key ambassadors for 2027!
Our friends from across the hospitality world that help us evolve and enhance the show each year to ensure we inspire and exceed the needs and expectations of our buyers.
Robert Richardson
CEO - Institute of Hospitality
Robert Richardson FIH MI Hon DLitt is CEO of the Institute of Hospitality, the world's largest professional body for over 17,000 hospitality professionals and a registered charity. Under his leadership, the Institute champions hospitality as a respected global profession, supporting members through lifelong learning, mentoring, professional recognition and international networks. Following more than 12 years leading luxury, boutique and heritage hotels, he was appointed CEO of the Institute of Hospitality. Robert is a recognised advocate for professional standards, workforce development and lifelong learning, and is a regular speaker at UK and international conferences, contributor to industry publications, and guest on radio and podcasts. Robert's has been named among the UK's leading hoteliers by Hotel Designs and Boutique Hotelier, and recognised by Global Hospitality Magazine as one of Europe's most influential hospitality leaders. Through an LinkedIn community of over 33,000 professionals, Robert continues to champion hospitality as a profession of choice.
Mark Reynolds
National Chairman - Craft Guild of Chefs
Mark is extremely proud to be the National Chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs - a well-recognized and respected chef organization with Worldwide membership. Being National Chairman allows Mark access to help build and nurture chefs for the future with competitions, school talks and helping training colleges with advice and Guild accreditations. Now with over 35 years of experience in the industry, Mark loves to keep progressing; delivering new and exciting methods and techniques of ways of doing things and incorporating this into his food. His cooking style is based on the principles of classical cookery, whereby he loves to achieve wonderfully deep flavoured food without being overwhelming, delivered in a tasteful & elegant style using the very finest produce and local suppliers where possible. Mark continues to work with world class chefs and really enjoys the fact he is continuously learning new techniques and ingredients that are available and in season.
Katie Deem
Director - 4C Associates
Katie is a dynamic and adaptable Procurement Leader, who shares a passion for the Food and Beverage industry, and is committed to achieving success. Bringing 18 years of proven success in the Procurement and Supply Chain domain with the majority from within the Hospitality and Leisure sector, including a significant 6-year tenure as the Head of Procurement for a leading contract catering company. Katie’s extensive background encompasses the development and implementation of strategic initiatives within transformative programs, change management, supply chain enhancement, and profit margin amplification.
Lee Donkin
Managing Director - Cedabond
Lee Donkin became Managing Director of Cedabond in late 2024, following senior roles at Fagor Professional and Hobart. With a strong background across both supplier and dealer sides, he has quickly set about modernising the organisation. His early initiatives include introducing an automated reporting system to streamline operations, expanding training and dealer engagement days, and strengthening supplier and member relationships. Lee has also been driving more collaboration across the Cedabond network through webinars, touchpoints, and direct engagement. Looking ahead, his focus is on sustainable growth, digital innovation, and increasing Cedabond’s industry presence, including leading the Cedabond Village at HRC 2026.
Anna Sebastian
Founder - Anna Sebastian Hospitality
Anna Sebastian is the founder of Anna Sebastian Hospitality (A.S.H.), a global consultancy specialising in creative and commercial strategy for luxury hospitality. She also founded Celebrate Her, a non-profit community of over 700 women across 72 countries in the drinks industry, built to give women in the industry greater visibility, support and equity. Anna was named #4 in Drinks International’s Bar World 100 for 2026, having featured on the list for four consecutive years, and was the 2026 recipient of the International Tales Catalyst Award, recognising women and non-binary leaders championing inclusivity across the global beverage community. She has also featured in the CODE list of the most influential women in hospitality. Since founding her consultancy in 2022, Anna has worked with the likes of Fairmont Hotels, Four Seasons, MGallery, Sofitel, The Savoy, Raffles Hotels and Mandarin Oriental, alongside a range of brands and personalities looking to engage new audiences. Her services span concept ideation, strategy, venue (re)openings, industry positioning, menu development, design, training, PR, marketing and brand positioning. At the centre of that work is trend intelligence. Anna and her team are known across the industry as thought leaders and trend hunters, always looking for what’s next in luxury hospitality and helping the brands they work with spot it first and shape their strategy around it. She is a regular judge, speaker, presenter and panellist for the Hotel Magazine Awards, Bar Magazine and the Class Awards, and in 2025 joined the educational committee of Tales of the Cocktail.
Mark Perkins
Executive Pastry Chef - Rosewood London
Mark has created beautiful pastries at some of London’s most renowned hotels, working as Head Pastry Chef at The Berkeley from 1999 to 2003 alongside Pierre Koffmann and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. In 2003, Mark joined the Renaissance Hotel Chancery Court as Executive Pastry Chef and continued in the role when Rosewood London opened in 2013. Mark has been Rosewood London’s Executive Pastry Chef since its opening, where he is responsible for pastries across the hotel, including Mirror Room’s afternoon tea and personalised in-room welcome amenities. He has incorporated his artistic talents into the tradition of afternoon tea, creating ever-evolving, art-inspired pastries, with Art Afternoon Tea concepts drawing on styles such as Cubism, Pop Art, and Surrealism. Throughout his career, Mark has received numerous industry accolades, including Best Contemporary Afternoon Tea in the UK for two consecutive years and Craft Guild of Chefs Pastry Chef of the Year 2023. Having competed at HRC in Salon Culinaire, achieving two Gold Awards in sugar showpiece competitions, and serving on the committee of the Association of Pastry Chefs, Mark is honoured to be an Ambassador for Pastry at HRC 2026. A member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and a judge for NCOTY, AAE, and the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards, he is passionate about encouraging the next generation of pastry chefs to develop skills, gain knowledge, and build strong industry networks.
James Bielby
Chief Executive - FDW UK
James Bielby has been Chief Executive of the Food & Drink Wholesale UK (FWD) the trade association for food and drink wholesalers serving retailers and out of home, for over 15 years. FWD represents the sector to government, suppliers, customers and the outside world, aiming to create favourable trading conditions for members by lobbying for policy change and defending against regulatory burdens. FWD also advises members on potential political opportunities, threats and requirements, works to create a safer trading environment and provides a meeting place for wholesalers and suppliers on non-compete issues. James is a member of the Food and Drink Sector Council, the National Retail Crime Steering Group, and is a school governor.
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.