Taking place on HRC’s Vision Stage, this candid conversation saw Adam Handling MBE in discussion with Shelley Sofier of Red Kite PR, covering leadership, team culture and the realities of running a modern hospitality business.

Handling spoke openly about scaling his restaurant collection, emphasising the importance of building a strong leadership structure around him. By delegating responsibility to specialists across operations, food, beverage and finance, he is able to focus on vision while ensuring each part of the business is run by experts. Transparency also plays a key role, with financial performance and decision-making shared across teams to create alignment and trust.

A strong focus was placed on people and progression. Handling highlighted that education and clear career pathways are more powerful retention tools than salary alone, with structured training, apprenticeships and competitions helping to motivate staff and build long-term loyalty. Creating a positive, supportive culture was positioned as essential, alongside challenging outdated narratives around hospitality as a difficult or unrewarding career.

The conversation also touched on how operators are adapting to changing consumer behaviours, including the impact of GLP-1 medications, which are shifting demand towards lighter, more nutrient-dense dishes. Handling encouraged businesses to respond with flexibility, whether through menu development or portion sizes, while maintaining a focus on the overall dining experience.

Sustainability and cost pressures were addressed through a practical lens, with Handling advocating for smarter use of ingredients to reduce waste and offset inflation without passing costs onto guests. Reflecting on his own career, he also stressed the importance of building solid foundations before expanding, noting that long-term resilience depends on strong systems as much as ambition.

Overall, the session offered a grounded perspective on leadership in hospitality today, centred on education, transparency and adaptability, and reinforced the importance of investing in people to build resilient, future-ready businesses.