Event Timings

5.00 pm	Guest Arrival
5.15 pm	Interview with Kate Nicholls OBE, Chair, UKHospitality
5.40 pm	The Arena Savoy Lecture Panel Debate with Kate Nicholls, OBE, Chair, UKHospitality, Matt Thomas, CEO, Restaurant Associates Group, Compass Ireland, Eurest & 14 Forty, Angus Brydon, Managing Director, BM Caterers and Andrew Selley, Chief Executive, Bidcorp UK. Chaired by food and drink specialist Jill Livesey, Founder, Aqua Strategies
6.45 pm	Drinks and Canape Reception
7.45 pm	Seated Dinner
9.45 pm	Carriages/Drinks & Networking

The Event

Each year, the Savoy Lecture brings together more than 200 senior leaders from across the foodservice and hospitality sector. It’s an evening designed for insight, inspiration, and invaluable industry connection.

This year’s event opens with an in‑depth interview with Kate Nicholls OBE, Chair of UKHospitality. The conversation will explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the sector today, including the ongoing need for government support, shifting consumer confidence, and predictions for the future landscape.

Following the interview, Kate will join Matt Thomas, CEO, Restaurant Associates Group, Compass Ireland, Eurest & 14 Forty, Angus Brydon, Managing Director, BM Caterers and Andrew Selley, Chief Executive, Bidcorp UK in a panel discussion hosted by food and drink specialist Jill Livesey, Founder, Aqua Strategies.   Our panel will explore the key issues within their businesses, their predictions for the future and how the sector can collaborate to overcome the current challenges.

Arena’s flagship event is not only a chance to learn from influential voices—it’s also a rare opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, strengthen existing relationships, and build new ones. Guests will enjoy a superb drinks and canapé reception followed by a mouthwatering three‑course dinner, all set within the iconic surroundings of The Savoy.

It promises to be an evening of thought‑leadership, networking, and exceptional hospitality.

Meet Our Speakers

Kate Nicholls OBE, Chair of UKHospitality

Kate Nicholls OBE is the full-time Chair of UKHospitality, the powerful voice representing the broad hospitality sector, and leads its lobbying, campaigning and media work. Kate was previously its CEO for seven years, since its inception in 2018. Kate previously worked as CEO and Strategic Affairs Director of the Association of Licenced Multiple Retailers (ALMR).

Kate sits on the Government’s Tourism, Hospitality, and Food & Drink Sector Councils, where she represents the wider hospitality and tourism sector. As a passionate advocate for inclusivity in hospitality, Kate is also the Government’s first Disability Ambassador for hospitality.

Kate is the Chair of the Institute of Licensing and ACC Liverpool, a board member of Best Bar None, and a trustee of Hospitality Action and Springboard. She has previously chaired the Tourism Alliance, London Night-time Commission, and London Tourism Recovery Board.

Kate initially worked as a researcher in the House of Commons and European Parliament on food, employment and environmental policy before joining Whitbread to work in Strategic Affairs. She has extensive experience as a political and strategic communications consultant and is a graduate of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and Kings College London.

Matt Thomas – CEO, Restaurant Associates Group, Compass Ireland, Eurest and 14Forty

Matt is a highly respected leader in the premium hospitality sector, with a career spanning some of the UK and Ireland’s most acclaimed foodservice and hospitality brands. As CEO of Restaurant Associates Group, Compass Ireland, Eurest and 14Forty, he leads a diverse portfolio of businesses delivering exceptional food, service, and experiences across corporate, cultural and workplace environments.

Matt’s career is defined by a consistent focus on quality, innovation, and people. Prior to his current role, he held senior leadership positions including Managing Director at Searcys, BaxterStorey and WSH, where he played a pivotal role in shaping premium hospitality propositions and driving sustained business growth.

A recognised industry figure, Matt was awarded the prestigious Catey Award for Foodservice Caterer of the Year, reflecting both his commercial success and his commitment to raising standards across the sector. Throughout his career, he has championed talent development, culinary excellence, and client partnership, earning a reputation for building high-performing teams and future-focused businesses.

Today, Matt continues to influence the evolution of modern hospitality, combining strategic leadership with a deep understanding of guest experience making him a trusted voice at the forefront of the industry.

Andrew Selley, Chief Executive, Bidcorp UK

Andrew has spent nearly 40 years in the food industry and for the last 12 years has been CEO of Bidfood and Bidcorp in the UK.

Bidfood are a major supplier to all of hospitality and out of home food operations. They also supply the prisons, the MOD, schools, hospitals and care homes with food and beverages.

Andrew also has responsibility for the groups other businesses in the UK, Bidfresh (fruit and veg, fresh meat and fresh fish wholesalers), Bidcorp Manufacturing business,  and Caterfood Buying Group.

Bidcorp employs more than 8,000 people in the UK with a shared focus on service excellence, sustainability, food innovation and delivering great value.

Andrew sits on the National Food Strategy Advisory Board with DEFRA, as well as the FWD council representing wholesale businesses in the UK. He is a commissioner on the Food Farming and Countryside Commission, and is involved in other sustainable business initiatives such as Better Business Act coalition.

Andrew is passionate about a secure, sustainable and fair food system for current and future generations.

Angus Brydon, Managing Director, BM Caterers

Angus Brydon is the Managing Director at BM Caterers (previously Bartlett Mitchell), an independently-minded foodservice company in the UK. 

He has been with BM for over 9 years, working across operations, sales and marketing before taking on his current leadership role. 

Brydon started his career in 2001 as a graduate trainee with Aramark, moving on to Restaurant Associates where he left to become an Area Manager with BM in 2009. From there, Brydon was promoted to Senior Operations Manager, before leaving in 2014 to join Elior in the City as Operations Director. 

Brydon returned to BM in 2017 and held the position of Divisional Managing Director, before taking up the role of MD in 2022. 

In the last four years as MD, BM has seen growth of approximately 80%. 

Brydon is a long-suffering Reading FC fan, passionate foodie, and strong advocate of charitable activities at BM, including numerous fundraising efforts to support Ukrainian citizens.

Meet Our Panel Host

Jill Livesey, Founder, Aqua Strategies

Jill Livesey is a food and drink specialist and founder of Aqua Strategies. Jill helps business with strategy, insight and most importantly talent development. Jill has worked for some of the Uks most iconic brands, M&S, Unilever and Birdseye, and most recently as Managing Director of MCA news & events and Lumina Intelligence.

Jill is known for bringing people together, coaching and training, sparking creativity and nurturing talent, a regular presenter and host across the industry.

Jill says “ I’ve attended and presented at many Arena events and understand the importance of the work they do for our industry, be it developing future talent, providing insight, and thought-provoking debates. Arena have created an inclusive and supportive networking environment, and I’m proud to help raise awareness of their great work and impressive events.”