The Inclusion Update: July 2025

The Inclusion Update: July 2025

WiHTL & Diversity in Retail WiHTL & Diversity in Retail

WiHTL & Diversity in Retail

Supporting companies across the HTL and Retail industry to create diverse and inclusive environments

Published Jul 11, 2025
+ Follow

Welcome to the July edition of our Inclusion Update, featuring:

The early bird tickets have now sold out but you can still join us at the 2025 Inclusion Summit!

Demand has been high, indicating this year’s Inclusion Summit is set to be another great event. There is still time to book and join us at the iconic London Hilton on Park Lane on Tuesday 14 October.

This year’s theme, 'Opportunities for All', will bring together over 600 people across the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail sectors to explore how we create inclusive cultures where everyone can thrive.

Zarah Doyle European Talent Director and PD UKI, ODEON Cinemas Group shared with us: “Every one of us walked away feeling energised, with new ideas and conversations underway that shaped our plans for the year. The summit sparked deeper reflections for our projects, forums and our commitment to celebrating milestones, sharing data and storytelling”.

Secure your spot, there are a limited number of tickets left at the special Membership rate. 

Secure your tickets

With less than a month left for submissions for the 2025 inclusion in Awards, now is the time to nominate those people and programmes making a real difference in our sector.

We are proud to power the Awards once again, celebrating inclusion in action across Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail. From innovative strategies to those creating truly inclusive workplaces for the millions working across our sectors.

Is there something or someone doing fantastic things? Nominate now and help us spotlight the impact of inclusion.

Learn more about the Awards and nominate

The Inclusion Maturity Curve, powered by inclusion in, is open for organisations looking to assess, benchmark and strengthen their inclusion strategies. The deadline to take part is 5.00pm on 29 August 2025.

As a current WiHTL & DiR Member, access to the Inclusion Maturity Curve is included as part of your membership! 

"Taking part in the Maturity Curve has really helped us as a business deliver on being a best-in-class employer" Kirstie Loveridge Executive Vice President, People and Culture, AEG Europe .

Find out more here, or get started on your 2025 submission by signing up or accessing the portal here.

New arrivals to our Advisory Board

We’re delighted to welcome David McDowall CEO, Stonegate Group and Simon Thompson CEO, Burhill Group Limited (BGL) to our WiHTL Advisory Board.

David McDowall shared: “I am delighted to join the WiHTL Advisory Board and have the opportunity to collaborate with leaders who equally recognise and value the importance of inclusive and diverse cultures. As someone that has built their career from bar to boardroom without formal qualifications, I have always been incredibly proud to work in an industry that welcomes everyone. Together, we must continue to make meaningful progress to ensure equal and rewarding career opportunities are available to all. I look forward to contributing to the fantastic work of the WiHTL Advisory Board and driving important progress for our industry.”

Simon Thompson shared: “I’m excited to join the WiHTL Advisory Board and to have this opportunity to contribute to the great work WiHTL does in creating opportunities for everyone to thrive and develop their careers in the Hospitality, Travel, and Leisure sectors. The work that WiHTL supports—helping break down barriers so that we create cultures that are equitable and inclusive—is of vital importance. I look forward to collaborating with inspiring leaders who are equally committed to driving meaningful change and opening doors for talent from all backgrounds."

Neil Brocklehurst CEO, Post Office signs our CEO Charter

We're proud to welcome Neil Brocklehurst CEO, Post Office Ltd, as the latest signatory of our CEO Charter. As part of his first 100 days commitment, Neil has signed up to the Charter, a clear signal of the importance of inclusion at Post Office.

“At Post Office, we believe Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is integral to our identity and success. The Post Office supports communities the length and breadth of the UK and as such we need a diverse workforce that reflects our postmasters and the customers that they serve. By fostering an inclusive environment, we ensure that every individual feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique talents.”

Read more about our CEO Charter

Our Collaboration Community in action

It's been a brilliant month of events, connection and impact across our Collaboration Community.

We held our very first Inclusion Committee Networking & Development Day, bringing together passionate individuals from across all our Committees for an inspiring in-person event. A huge thank you to wagamama for hosting and helping to make the day so memorable.

We launched a new cohort of our Global Women Leaders Programme, proudly supported by IKEA , and held an in-person midpoint session for our already-underway Ethnic Future Leaders Programme, with thanks to ODEON Cinemas Group for their support.

Last week, we also brought senior leaders together through our latest CPO Insights roundtable lunch, exploring HR innovation in global customer-facing businesses with speakers Nicola Kowalczuk Chief People Officer, JD Sports Fashion Fashion plc and Heidi Coppin (She/Her) SVP People, De Beers Group .

We also held our latest CEO insights dinner with David Tyler Chair, The Parker Review, who shared his reflections on the role of leaders in ensuring the availability of opportunities for all.

Adopting the IHRA definition of anti-semitism

UK Anti-Jewish Racism is growing at an exponential rate with 7 out of 10 Jews in the UK having faced (either personally or a member of their family) an anti-semitic (anti-jewish racist incident) in the last 12 months. It is estimated that 50% of all UK Jews are now hiding their Jewish identity in the workplace.

Recent unacceptable displays of antisemitism at events like Glastonbury highlight the urgent need for clarity, education and decisive action. Business leaders have a profound responsibility to foster inclusive, respectful workplaces and communities.

At WiHTL & DiR, we stand up against all forms of discrimination and racism and have publicly adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of Anti-Semitism (Anti-Jewish Racism) to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to inclusion.

We are calling on CEOs across the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail sectors to do the same, adopting the IHRA definition is a vital step in creating safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces for all.

To deepen understanding, leaders and teams can explore our resources page for useful links via the button below. 

Adopting the IHRA definition of Anti-Semitism

Spotlight On Sophia Montagna Head of People & Development, Wyboston Lakes

In our latest Spotlight On, Sophia Montagna (Assoc CIPD) Head of People & Development, Wyboston Lakes Resort, shares her story behind why she wrote the book: 2020: The Year That Changed the World. From finding resilience during furlough, to writing with purpose and legacy in mind.

Watch the full conversation for insight, inspiration and a powerful reminder of how storytelling can shape the future by clicking the button below. With purpose and legacy in mind, Sophia reminds us that the stories we choose to tell and how we tell them have the power to drive lasting change.

Spotlight On Sophia Montagna

This month, we continued fostering insight through a key roundtable and EIA session:

  • Reverse Mentoring Roundtable: Sparked by a Community WhatsApp group question, Lexie Newnham, SSP and Miranda Simms, TUI, shared their expertise on implementing reverse mentoring with an inclusion lens. Topics included training, matching systems, impact measurement and evolving towards reciprocal mentoring where both parties benefit.

  • Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs): Led by Amit Popat, this session focused on embedding EIAs in decision-making to foster fairer, more inclusive outcomes.

To find out more email info@wihtlanddir.com

Have you considered how age impacts inclusion at work?

Support the Centre for Ageing Better to create more age-friendly workplaces by sharing your insights in a quick survey. Share your experience supporting workers over 50, your thoughts on ageism and your ideas for fostering a more diverse and inclusive environment. Age cuts across all areas and can contribute to challenges already faced by under-represented groups.

This three-minute survey will help raise awareness and share best practice across the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail sectors.

Share your insights and experiences

Join our Collaboration Community

The Inclusion Update The Inclusion Update

The Inclusion Update

4,770 followers

+ Subscribe

To view or add a comment, sign in

More articles by this author

Others also viewed

Explore content categories