In this episode of Suite Talk, hosts Jade Evans and Declan Wale are joined by Anne Golden, General Manager of Pan Pacific London, and recently crowned Hotelier of the Year at the Hotel Magazine Awards.

Recorded in one of Pan Pacific London's stunning suites overlooking the city skyline, Anne reflects on an extraordinary career journey that began as an "accidental hotelier" arriving in London with little more than a few hundred pounds and a need for accommodation. What followed was a lifelong passion for hospitality, people and leadership.

Anne shares the lessons she's learned from decades in the industry, the evolution of leadership styles in hospitality, and why kindness, humility and emotional intelligence are more important than ever in a world increasingly shaped by technology. From building high-performing teams to creating unforgettable guest experiences, this conversation is packed with insight for anyone passionate about hospitality and leadership.

Key Topics Include:

✅ Anne's journey from Middlesbrough to leading one of London's most acclaimed luxury hotels
✅ Why emotional intelligence is becoming hospitality's greatest competitive advantage
✅ The leadership lessons that shaped her career and management style
✅ Building a culture of kindness, trust and psychological safety
✅ What winning Hotelier of the Year meant personally and professionally
✅ How AI will impact hospitality and why human connection will remain essential

From accidental beginnings to industry recognition, Anne's story is a masterclass in people-first leadership and the power of creating memorable experiences.

🎧 Listen now to hear the full conversation with Anne Golden at Pan Pacific London.
Read more episodes and hospitality insights at Hotel Magazine.

Key Moments:

00:00 - Anne's accidental journey into hospitality
03:48 - Growing up in Middlesbrough and lessons in resilience
10:12 - Arriving in London and falling in love with hotels
18:20 - Learning leadership and overcoming early career setbacks
25:47 - Why kindness was once considered a radical leadership style
31:38 - Mentors, humility and leadership lessons that lasted a lifetime
39:26 - Winning Hotelier of the Year and what the recognition means
46:12 - What modern guests value most from luxury hospitality
53:04 - AI, emotional intelligence and the future of hotels
01:04:10 - Anne's definition of hospitality and creating lasting memories

📩 Like, comment and subscribe to stay up to date on leadership, design and innovation in hospitality.
🔗 Learn more at Pan Pacific London and Hotel Magazine.

In this episode of Suite Talk, hosts Tom Woolin and Declan Wale are joined by Mike Baxter, founder of House of Gods, for a candid and entertaining conversation on building one of hospitality’s boldest boutique brands.

Recorded at the soon-to-open House of Gods in Canary Wharf, Mike shares the unconventional journey from nightclub promoter and hostel founder to creating immersive hotels built around escapism, storytelling and “treat me like I’m famous” luxury. From chaotic opening nights and accidental Rolls-Royce purchases to rethinking what boutique hospitality should actually mean, this episode dives into the realities of building a disruptive hotel brand without following the traditional rulebook.

At the heart of the conversation is one core belief: hospitality should make people feel something.

Key topics include:

✅ Mike’s unconventional journey from nightlife to boutique hospitality
✅ Building House of Gods around experience, escapism and storytelling
✅ The lessons learned from launching hotels without traditional industry experience
✅ Why modern luxury should feel fun, immersive and emotionally engaging
✅ Scaling a disruptive hotel brand while protecting creativity and identity
✅ How AI will reshape hospitality, and why human connection will matter even more

From entrepreneurial mistakes to creative breakthroughs, Mike offers an honest look at what it takes to build a hospitality brand that genuinely stands out.

🎧 Listen now to hear the full conversation with Mike Baxter at House of Gods.
Read more episodes and hospitality insights at Hotel Magazine.

Key Moments:

00:00 - Chaos, luxury and the opening weekend that changed everything
02:32 - Discovering hospitality through nightlife and events
05:22 - Building The Baxter Hostel with zero hotel experience
08:23 - The disastrous first weekend: “You’re in my bed!”
14:48 - Creating House of Gods and putting experience before rooms
19:06 - Why everyone wants a little luxury and escapism
21:54 - Scaling House of Gods without losing its identity
29:48 - The new castle hotel concept inspired by witchcraft and wizardry
31:52 - Launching a champagne brand and the surprising history of champagne
50:55 - AI, human connection and the future of hospitality

📩 Like, comment and subscribe to stay up to date on leadership, design and innovation in hospitality.
🔗 Learn more at House of Gods and Hotel Magazine.

In this episode of Suite Talk, hosts Jade Evans and Declan Wale sit down with Kurt Macher, Area General Manager of Operations for Paris and London and General Manager of Shangri-La, The Shard, for a conversation on what modern luxury hospitality really demands.

From early beginnings in Austria to leading teams across continents, Kurt shares how his global career has shaped a leadership style grounded in openness, adaptability and people-first thinking. Recorded high above London, this episode explores the complexity of today’s hospitality landscape, where leaders must balance commercial performance, team culture and exceptional guest experience all at once.

At its core, this conversation is a reminder that while the industry continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: great hospitality is built on human connection.

Key topics include:

✅ Kurt’s early career and apprenticeship in Austria
✅ The importance of teamwork and learning multiple disciplines early on
✅ Leading global teams across cultures and markets
✅ Why hospitality leaders today must be “jack of all trades”
✅ Balancing commercial performance with guest experience and team wellbeing
✅ The role of community, charity and giving back in hospitality leadership
✅ How technology should enhance, not replace, human interaction
✅ Why personalisation begins before a guest even arrives
✅ Adapting to constant change in an evolving industry
✅ The enduring importance of human connection in luxury hospitality

From leadership philosophy to the future of the industry, this episode offers a grounded and honest perspective on what it takes to succeed in hospitality today.

🎧 Listen now to hear the full conversation with Kurt Macher at Shangri-La.
See more episodes and industry insights at Hotel Magazine.

Key Moments:

00:00 – Why modern hospitality requires a “jack of all trades” approach
02:08 – Introducing Kurt Macher and his global hospitality career
03:23 – Apprenticeship in Austria and early lessons in teamwork
06:38 – What success means: beyond commercial performance
08:18 – A global career and becoming an open-minded leader
10:31 – Giving back: community, charity and purpose in hospitality
13:27 – Technology in hospitality: frictionless, not faceless
16:58 – Quick fire: personalisation, design trends and guest experience
20:57 – Leadership today: agility, teamwork and constant change
25:54 – Defining hospitality: it’s all about people

📩 Like, comment and subscribe to stay up to date on leadership, culture and innovation in hospitality.
🔗 Learn more at Shangri-La and Hotel Magazine.