Event Review

Arena Futures – Reviewing growth through business relationships

Arena Futures’ latest in-person event took place on Tuesday 28 October at Seven Dials Market by KERB, bringing together emerging professionals and industry leaders to share insights on personal growth, leadership and the power of meaningful relationships within hospitality.

Delivered in partnership with William Murray PR & Marketing and Performance Works International, the event was part of the first Arena Networking Navigator Programme, a new initiative designed to help the next generation of hospitality professionals build confidence, develop networking skills and cultivate lasting business connections.

Guests were welcomed with drinks on arrival before enjoying a street food lunch from over 20 KERB traders, offering the perfect backdrop for conversation and connection. The afternoon then shifted to the main stage, where an expert panel of industry leaders shared their career journeys, challenges and lessons learned along the way.

Connect, develop, grow

Hosted by Lucy Britner, B2B journalist and senior content creator at William Murray PR & Marketing, the session brought together a panel of industry leaders, offering diverse perspectives on career development and leadership:

Richard Franks, UK business director, Shake Shack
Ryan Candy, HR projects & performance director, Sodexo
Rachel House, Co-founder, Impetus

The foundation of hospitality

The panel began by reflecting on what makes hospitality such a uniquely people-focused industry. Across all speakers, there was consensus that putting people first is not only key to customer experience but also to personal growth and team culture.

Richard Franks emphasised that leadership starts with presence, taking the time to connect with and invest in teams. He noted that building strong, motivated people is the cornerstone of operational success. The discussion also highlighted how authenticity and empathy have become defining qualities for effective leadership, especially in a sector built on relationships.

Confidence, curiosity and career development

Confidence emerged as another core theme, not as something innate, but as something built through experience, feedback and learning from others.

Rachel House explored how curiosity and self-awareness fuel long-term development, encouraging attendees to seek out new experiences and to ask questions that expand their understanding. She also underlined the importance of soft skills such as communication and empathy, describing them as vital tools for connection and collaboration.

The discussion also touched on mentorship and sponsorship. Great leaders, the panel agreed, create opportunities for others, offering support, guidance and challenge in equal measure. Investing in people and helping them to grow not only builds loyalty but strengthens the business as a whole.

Networking as a skill

While networking can often feel intimidating, the panellists reframed it as a practical skill that can be developed over time. Ryan Candy reflected on how building genuine relationships, rather than transactional connections had shaped his own career journey. He encouraged attendees to see networking as a form of curiosity: asking questions, showing interest and seeking common ground.

Richard Franks also acknowledged that networking doesn’t come naturally to everyone but shared that setting personal goals, such as attending one or two events a month can make a significant difference. The panel collectively reinforced that consistency and authenticity are what make professional relationships meaningful and lasting.

Energy, connection and career insight

The discussion closed with a lively audience Q&A, where attendees sought practical advice on everything from leadership development to maintaining motivation in tough times. The panellists’ collective message was clear, hospitality is a people business and success is driven through resilience, openness, and connection.

A platform for the future

The event captured the essence of what Arena Futures represents, a space for rising talent to connect, develop and grow. From investing in people to building purposeful careers, the discussion reinforced that success in hospitality is as much about who you learn from as it is about what you do. Events like this are designed not only to inspire but to build real-world connections that can shape careers for years to come.

A huge thank you goes to our headline partners and supporters, including KERB for hosting the event and to our panellists Richard Franks, Ryan Candy, Rachel House and host Lucy Britner for sharing their insights and experiences.

Thank you to Finley Young and Niamh Mchale-Baldrian, interns at William Murray PR & Marketing for this event recap.

William Murray PR & Marketing is a specialist food, drink & hospitality agency that has been delivering award winning campaigns for over 30 years. The agency focuses on delivering real, measurable, commercial value for clients including: Kraft Heinz, Nestlé Professional, Premier Foods, Norwegian Seafood Council and Délifrance.