Sustainable Hotels Podcast

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming the inspirational leader that is Danny Pecorelli, Managing Director of Exclusive Collection. Recently recognised in the Brit List Awards for his “outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry” Danny is not only a titan of the hotel world but he is a real trailblazer in sustainability too, leading the way for many of his peers in sustainable hospitality.

Joining me today is the amazing Dr Vincent Walsh, expert in designing for circularity and regenerative living systems. Having had the pleasure of listening to Vinny speak many times I am excited to share his unbelievable knowledge with you, and aim to simplify things to a point that it becomes tangible for us to all to follow his ethos

We’re changing things up a little this week and focussing on one of our key sustainability pillars; people. To me, your people are your biggest asset, and there’s no one better to tell us how to care for our people than diversity equity and inclusion expert, Eugene Gilkes.   Following his success as a professional decathlete, Eugene used his experience and expertise to build a leadership consultancy focusing on DE&I.   Eugene shares with us his approach to DE&I, why the current system is failing us, and how we should be leading with inclusion.   Our conversation explores the importance of trust in the workplace and how that trust disseminates through the chain, from internal teams right down to guests and customers   So, if you’d like to increase your understanding of DE&I, learn how to foster an inclusive culture and ultimately build trust in your teams, this ones for you… 

Philip shares his journey so far; from his love of hotels at a young age, to being appointed as General Manager and subsequently opening The Moxy and Residences, Slough in the midst of Covid, to joining the team at Bankside in 2022.   Bankside is nestled in the heart of London’s Southbank and pays homage to it’s local arts and culture scene. As part of the Autograph Collection, Philip talks of Bankside’s “mark” being their seamless connection to art at every touch point. With a passion for art himself, it’s clear that Philip has found himself at home in this gorgeous property.   We discuss the three pillars that makes Bankside so unique and explore the ways that Community, Art and Sustainability are seamlessly integrated in everything that they do.   Awarded HSMAI young hotelier of the year in 2022 and top 25 hotelier in the 2023 Brit list, Philip shares his inspirational leadership style and ways of empowering his team to create lasting memories for every guest.

Welcome to this week’s episode of Sustainable Hotels Podcast where I have the pleasure of sitting down the Samantha van Exter , Head of hotels for the Montcalm Collection. We’re meeting at the collections newest concept hotel; Inhabit in the heart of Bayswater. Named the “urban retreat”, Inhabit is a series of seven homey Victorian townhouses come together with wellness at their heart, creating a tranquil retreat in the heart of the city.  As part of Design Hotels, and recently awarded B-Crop certification, inhabit is forging the path of Montcalm Collection’s Sustainability journey. Samantha shares her journey so far, her passion for supporting small business and entrepreneurs and her mantra to give everyone time for their elevator pitch, as you never know what you will learn and what new partnerships will grow because of it. We discuss the importance of storytelling, taking your guests on a journey and enhancing their experience at every opportunity. Whether that’s through their interaction with the building, your team or the community. By offering stories to elevate each moment you have the opportunity to share knowledge and create memories that will last a lifetime.

To kick off this season I’m at the iconic London Edition in the heart of London’s Fitzrovia district.   Edition hotels are the perfect blend between historic architecture and modern interior design. As the home of the Edition brand, their London property is the epitome of effortless luxury. It’s hard to put your finger on what’s so fabulous about this hotel, but in this episode General Manager Paul Walters shares the secret of what’s going behind the scenes to make this hotel feel “just right”   As with all Marriott Hotels in London, Edition have committed to the Green Key sustainability standard and Paul talks us through how their accreditation keeps them accountable and encourages them to strive to continuously improve their impact on the planet.   It’s an exciting time for the Edition brand with several new openings in the pipeline, and its fantastic to see they are making a true difference in building a better future for generations to come.

In this week's episode we're exploring the sustainability pillar; environment and I have the pleasure of sitting down for a conversation with the amazing Tommie Eaton.   Tommie is the founder of Bambu Brush, UK director of Clean the world and TED X Speaker. He joins us to share his story, and the remarkable experiences that have led him from backpacker to leading sustainability advocate   We explore the fundamental differences between the universal mission to Net Zero and the concept of building a circular economy to highlight the importance of building a sustainable future, not an empty one.   Tommie opens my eyes to the real depths of the plastic crisis, and questions whether we are the “plastic generation”.   Filled with insights and statistics, this episode is both eye-opening and empowering on our mission to build a more conscious future.

Today I am at the beautiful Langham London with Director of Sales and Marketing, Tate Husband to learn about the stories behind their London property and the sustainability journey of the Langham group as a whole.   First up, Tate shares his background in Hospitality; taking him to all corners of the globe and landing his feet here in London – at least for now!   We talk about the importance of storytelling in hospitality, and the concept of ultimate luxury being an experience that money cant buy. Tate and his team tell guests stories to share anecdotes of the hotels history throughout their stay, making it personal, relevant and memorable.   Tate refers to likeness between hospitality and showbusiness; always being on stage and putting on your best performance, he shares ideas and initiatives to ensure that your guests or audience have the best possible experience whilst they are with you.   Finally we explore the Langham groups Sustainability journey, and having partnered with Earthcheck for over 25 years, it’s a long - well established path. Tate shares the importance of measuring their impact, partnering with technologies to constantly improve their sustainability, and collaborating with the communities around each hotel to ensure that they are always giving something back .   It’s a great insight into one of London’s most prestigious hotels, I hope you enjoy it.   Follow Langham Hospitality Group Connect with Tate  

Rich is a sales guru but he is also a passionate sustainability advocate. In this conversation we discuss the world of Sustainability outside the walls of a hotel. Sharing stories from their projects in Nepal and Ethiopia, we explore the impact that trees have on not only our planet, but our people and our communities too.   We explore the concept of sustainability natives and recognise importance to educate and onboard all generations on this journey. Not only through jobs and opportunities, but by building an industry that is attracting top talent and offering ground-breaking advances to drive a more sustainable future   Finally, we recognise the commitment from the EU to restore their forests and challenge the UK government to take action. What does that look like? Is it feasible and how do we set about it?   Follow Treeapp Connect with Richard  

In our first international episode I welcome João Pinto Coelho from Onyria Group, home to a collection of hotels and venues including Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel and Onyria Marinha Boutique Hotel.   Alongside his father and 5 siblings, João shares his passion of creating dream experiences for their people and partners to create value for everyone who is part of the Onyria family.    Having embedded Sustainability within the core of their brand from the beginning, it is now very much a part of who they are ensuring that every decision that is made contributes to a better world  for our future generations.

Off the back of a two day ESG advisory meeting at Chewton Glen, Lisa and I sit down to reflect on the rich discussions we have had with our peers and industry experts. For anyone that doesn't know, Lisa is an iconic figure herself, having worked for the collection for over 20 years and sitting on the board of Meeting Needs charity, she is real pioneer for good. Not only is she an absolute powerhouse when it comes to driving our industry forward but she's one of the loveliest people you will meet. As well as the history of Chewton Glen, and the formulation of Iconic Luxury Hotels, we delve into what Sustainability means for them on their mission to create unforgettable experiences for their guests. Lisa shares the core values of the hotel, focussing on the importance of their people and creating a culture where everyone feels valued and included giving them the confidence to share ideas and collaborate to always exceed expectations.  Finally we discuss the importance of integrating with the community, whether thats through partnerships and supporting local suppliers, or sharing the land and harvest from their kitchen garden, Chewton Glen is a real home from home.

This week we sat down with Naomi, the visionary founder and CEO of The Other House, a residential club concept that redefines the traditional distinctions between hotels and residential spaces.   Naomi shares the inspiration behind The Other House and how she envisioned a space that transcends conventional definitions. By blending the comfort and familiarity of residential living with the amenities and services of a luxury hotel, The Other House offers a unique and immersive experience for residents.   Central to The Other House's ethos is the idea of fostering a sense of community among residents. Naomi discusses the importance of creating shared spaces and organising curated events and activities that encourage social interaction and collaboration, transforming The Other House into more than just a place to live.   Underpinning the whole concept of The Other House is a commitment to sustainability and optimising the resident experience through technology. By implementing sustainable practices in every aspect of the operations model, The Other House minimises its environmental impact while providing residents with a responsible and conscientious living environment. Additionally, leveraging cutting-edge technology, such as smart home systems and digital concierge platforms, enhances convenience and personalisation, allowing residents to effortlessly manage their living experience and access a wide range of amenities and services at their fingertips.   Follow Naomi  Explore The Other House  

In this episode, we're joined by Raphaella, a sustainability consultant who shares experience in building measurable sustainability programmes and provides actionable tools for hotels to enhance their sustainability commitments. Raphaella paints a picture of a hospitality industry that prioritises environmental, social, and economic responsibility. Drawing on her experience, she explores the potential for hotels to become hubs of sustainability innovation, working with peers and partners to push the boundaries of technology. Recognising the challenges faced by hotels when adopting sustainable practices, Raphaella offers a toolkit of practical strategies and resources. From 0 chemical technology to food waste measurement tools, she highlights actionable steps that hotels of all sizes can implement to improve their sustainability performance and ROI. Sustainable transformation requires collaboration across the entire hospitality ecosystem. Raphaella talks about her role within the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and the importance of fostering partnerships and sharing experiences, to amplify impact and drive positive change. Finally, Raphaella talks about the importance of driving behaviour change from the top down, inspiring teams to join the movement and build better hotels together.   ---   Partners recommended by Raphaella Winnow - Waste solutions d2o - Hospitality Performance Management Technology Klimato - Carbon labelling  Enozo - 0 Chemical technology Raypath - Nanosilver Technology cleaning products Silo - 0 waste restaurant Sustainable Hospitality Alliance   ---   Connect with Raphaella   

With a wealth of experience in the industry, Linden shares insights on the importance of empowering your team, getting started on your sustainable journey, optimising supply chains, and utilising natural resources. Linden discusses the pivotal role of team empowerment in achieving excellence in hospitality. From fostering a culture of trust and collaboration to providing opportunities for professional growth, Linden emphasises how investing in your team can enhance guest experiences and drive overall success. We discuss the journey to Sustainability and Linden provides practical advice on how hotels can get started. Linden highlights the importance of setting achievable goals and gradually integrating sustainable measures into daily operations. Sharing his great initiative of consolidated procurement, Linden discusses strategies for identifying sustainable suppliers, reducing carbon footprint through responsible sourcing, and streamlining procurement processes to minimise suppliers and optimise efficiency. He also emphasises the importance of building strong partnerships with suppliers who share the hotel's commitment to sustainability. With a sprawling 110-acre woodland and a thriving kitchen garden, Down Hall Hotel has an abundance of natural resources at its disposal. Linden shares how the hotel leverages these resources to grow fresh, seasonal ingredients; from foraging wild herbs for their house gin to cultivating produce in their kitchen garden. Join us as we explore these topics and more in this insightful conversation with Linden, offering valuable insights for hospitality professionals and sustainability enthusiasts alike.   ---   Partners recommended by Linden Essex Spirit Company  Glow Wellness Events   ---   Connect with Linden Visit Down Hall Hotel   

An introduction to Sustainable Hotels from our host, Grace Greensitt.

Today I’m joined by Gisela Boersma, ESG & Design Manager at The Usual — a brand proving regenerative hospitality can be beautiful and practical. Raised sustainably before it had a name, Gisela blends an interior designer’s eye with a systems thinker’s rigour. We unpack how The Usual builds consciously, is socially committed, resources responsibly and minimizes footprint—from circular mattresses and green roofs to local partnerships and BREEAM/Green Key pathways. We dig into measurement that matters (guest impact insights, Scope 3), the power of in-room storytelling, and the challenges of food waste and regulation—plus the wins that keep the team moving.

On this episode of the Sustainable Hotels Podcast, Grace sits down with Professor Xavier Font and Safina Naz from the University of Surrey to explore the art—and science—of sustainability communications. Xavier, one of the world’s leading experts in sustainability marketing, has advised organisations from Booking.com to the UN, helping thousands of businesses not just “do” sustainability, but communicate it with clarity and impact. Safina, a neuro-marketing practitioner and co-author of the Booking.com and Accor report on consumer behaviour, brings sharp insight into what truly resonates with travellers. Together, they unpack greenwashing, green-hushing, and how hotels can build trust through smarter storytelling.

On this episode of the Sustainable Hotels Podcast, Grace Greensitt sits down with Nina Boys, Vice President at Beyond Green. From a childhood sushi epiphany to auditing Nat Geo’s Unique Lodges, Nina shares how travel, food, and human connection shaped her path. We dig into Beyond Green’s rigorous standards across nature, culture, and community; why storytelling turns good practice into guest action; and how urban hotels can be powerful sustainability hubs. Nina also lifts the lid on partnerships, climate goals, and the collaboration fuelling Beyond Green’s next chapter. If you care about impact that guests can feel—and take home—this one’s for you.

Today I sit down with Sue Williams to explore her career leading some of the UK's most iconic luxury hotels; spearheading sustainability at Whatley Manor; and life as a sustainability consultant, giving back to the wider industry.  Throughout her time at Whatley Manor, Sue Williams was recognised for her focus on sustainability and excellence in hospitality. She worked to elevate the hotel’s profile, maintaining its reputation for outstanding guest experiences and promoting eco-conscious practices. Under her management, Whatley Manor strengthened its position as a leading luxury destination as well as achieving Earth Check accreditation. Most recently recognised for her Outstanding Contribution to the industry at the AA Hospitality Awards 2024.