Event Timings

The Event

What’s on the Agenda

Interview with Bharti Radix, Founder of BloomsYard –  Bharti will take us inside the journey of building BloomsYard—from the spark that inspired it, to the opportunities she seized, the challenges that shaped her, and the inclusive leadership philosophy that guides her. She’ll share what it truly takes to create a business with staying power and offer an exciting glimpse into the future of the brand.

Inspirational Panel Discussion – following Bharti’s powerful interview, she will be joined by senior hospitality leaders Shereen Ritchie, CEO, Kuvi Hospitality and former MD of LEON and Polly Lamy, Director of Innovation at Elior UK for an uplifting panel discussion titled ‘The Power of Connection’. Together, they’ll share:-

• their career history and explore how meaningful relationships have shaped their careers,
• guidance they’d offer to those beginning their journey in foodservice and hospitality
• their personal insights on networking—what’s opened doors, what’s taught them lessons and what they wish they’d known sooner.
• the opportunities and challenges facing the sector in the coming years, offering wisdom, encouragement, and plenty of inspiration.

Plus much more.

Food, Drink and Networking – the opportunity to meet industry peers and colleagues, practice your networking skills and enjoy the hospitality of BloomsYard in Regent’s Place.

Why Attend?

If you’re eager to hear fresh perspectives from leading voices in our industry, discover how meaningful connections have shaped their careers and gain motivating, practical advice to help you carve your own path in foodservice and hospitality, this event is absolutely for you. Designed with emerging talent in mind, it offers an empowering space for those in the early stages of their careers who are ready to grow, connect, and build a strong professional network. As part of Arena’s face‑to‑face Networking Navigator Programme, it provides a valuable opportunity to form genuine relationships, learn from experienced leaders, and gain the confidence to navigate the industry with purpose and momentum.

Meet Our Speakers

Bharti Radix, Founder, BloomsYard

Bharti Radix is the founder of BloomsYard—and is the kind of leader who brings people, purpose and brilliant ideas together.

With over 16 years in hospitality, Bharti has worked with some of the UK’s most well-known food and drink brands, helping scale operations, build high-performing teams, and launch products that customers love.

From supporting founders behind the scenes to leading complex rollouts across 50+ sites, she’s been at the sharp end of what makes hospitality work—and what happens when it doesn’t.After years of pushing hard in fast-growth environments, Bharti knew there had to be a different way of doing things. A more human way. And so, BloomsYard was born. 

Today, Bharti leads BloomsYard with heart and intention—creating spaces that feel good and do good, from the coffee in your cup to the culture behind the counter.

Through her personal brand, Hospitality B she mentors hospitality founders, provides CFO and NED services and speaks on panels about inclusive leadership, sustainable growth and what it really takes to build a business that lasts.   She’s also a proud partner of Female Founders Rise, Be Inclusive Hospitality and British Asian Entrepreneurs, regularly opening up the BloomsYard spaces for events and championing underrepresented voices across the industry.

Shereen Ritchie, CEO, Kuvi Hospitality

Shereen has 25 years of experience in everything hospitality and is a leader with a difference. She can give you a masterclass in how to lead by inspiration, she creates teams with the strength of lions and can still teach you the TGI Fridays trick of how to hold 6 glasses in one hand!

As CEO of Kuvi Hospitality, the investment platform designed to help bring US restaurant brands to the UK market Shereen is responsible for leading brand selection and franchise partnerships while developing a playbook of bringing concepts to market.

Prior to this Shereen was CEO of Buns From Home, overseeing the expansion of the Instagram-born bakery brand from six to 21 brands across London.  Shereen also spent four years at LEON and as MD led the brand through it’s most successful time as well as its most challenging. 

Shereen started her journey in hospitality at 15 years old when she got an evening job cleaning tables at TGI Fridays. Little did she know at the time that this part time job would shape her future in the most significant way.  She believes that business success involves balancing operational and commercial considerations with human ones. She has a proven track-record in building, leading and managing high-performing teams that have delivered outstanding revenue performance in exceptionally tough market conditions.

She is known for agility, determination and a relentlessly positive attitude that motivates and inspires those around her. Shereen is also one of the Founders of Boardwalk – an organisation that provides senior women in the hospitality sector with outstanding, professional and exceptional mentoring to maximise their readiness for their first board role.  

Polly Lamy, Director of Innovation, Elior UK

Polly Lamy is Director of Innovation, Elior UK, where she leads strategies to drive revenue growth, optimise costs, and enhance brand value across the business.

With over a decade of experience spanning hospitality, retail, and contract catering, Polly honed her commercial expertise across retail, QSR, and franchise sectors, including roles with SSP UK and Fortnum & Mason before joining Elior in 2022.

A passionate advocate for collaboration and progress, Polly thrives on delivering impactful solutions that elevate both business outcomes and customer experiences through initiatives such as recipe and range innovation, digital transformation, and supplier partnerships.

Polly believes in combining creativity with data-driven strategies to deliver lasting success in F&B.​