With long hours, demanding guests, and the need to stand out from the crowd, working in hospitality is not for the faint-hearted. It’s also an industry dominated by men – but these trailblazing women in hospitality are breaking the mould.
In 2024, joint research by MBS Group and WiHTL (Women to Watch in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail Index) found that women hold less than seven per cent of Chair positions, and less than 13 per cent of CEO positions across the top 200 hospitality, travel, leisure and retail companies.
Here, we spotlight 11 brilliant women in hospitality – those breaking the glass ceiling and shining the torch so that future generations can follow.
Kristina Snaith-Lense, The Upper House
Having a GM who can offer unbeatable insights and recommendations from a local’s point of view is a significant asset, and this is exactly what Hong Kong native Kristina Snaith-Lense provides to guests at five-star hotel The Upper House. In addition to the glitz and glam of the thrilling Southeast Asian city, Kristina aims to introduce guests to the rich heritage that Hong Kong has to offer in an authentic way – by cultivating spaces that encourage community, connection, and unforgettable experiences. Kristina’s leadership style is centred around mentorship and she is constantly finding ways to help her team members grow and flourish to continue thriving in the industry.
Lydia Forte, Group Director Of Food & Beverage, Rocco Forte Hotels
Luxury hotels may be in her DNA, but Lydia Forte has always done things in her own unique way when it comes to her role owning the strategy behind the food and beverage offerings for Rocco Forte Hotels. Whether it’s collaborating with chefs, supporting the next generation of Front of House talent as a trustee of the Gold Service Scholarship, or diving deep into the numbers to ensure profits are growing across the group’s properties in five different countries, Lydia’s passion for food combined with her keen business acumen has made her a formidable force in the hospitality world.
Hélène Darroze, Multi Michelin-Starred Chef
Being in an industry dominated by men is a feat in itself, but Hélène Darroze has not just survived, she’s come out on top. A staple on popular TV show Top Chef France, the fourth-generation chef is a beacon for young female chefs trying to make their mark in the food world. Last year, the multi-awarded chef earned a third Michelin star for her London restaurant at The Connaught and a second for her Parisian outpost, bringing her total to six stars across three restaurants (her restaurant in Provence currently has one star). Oh, and she also happens to be the inspiration behind chef Colette in the Pixar film Ratatouille. A woman of many achievements indeed.
Thelma West, Owner, Casina Cinquepozzi
Already a trailblazer as one of the few women of colour in fine jewellery, Nigerian-born Thelma West’s exceptional eye for detail and boundless creativity have been put to good use in the restoration of an abandoned 18th-century manor house in Puglia. Along with her Neapolitan husband, Thelma took her unwavering dedication for sustainability and worked to preserve the original beauty of the Casina Cinquepozzi while adding elevated design touches. The result is a luxurious getaway that welcomes both guests and artists, with the couple launching an Artist’s Residence where creatives of all walks of life can connect and be inspired.
Susanne Hatje, General Manager, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair
Launching and scaling hotels within the renowned Mandarin Oriental group for two decades requires keen leadership skills. Susanne Hatje has this in spades. Her parents opened their own hotel the year that Susanne was born, solidifying her wholehearted commitment to hospitality from an early age and teaching her the importance of hard work and ingenuity. As the General Manager of the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, Susanne draws on her expertise working in cut-throat cities like New York and Hong Kong to create an exemplary guest experience in the British capital.
Mishi Mtili, Field Guide, Singita
Much of what makes a safari unforgettable is the quality of the field guide, and Mishi Mtili, the only female guide at the Singita Grumeti reserve in Tanzania, is one of the best. Mishi first started her career at Singita as an accountant before her interest in wildlife preservation took over. Her journey as a student, learning all that she could about the flora and fauna of the Serengeti, allows her to better connect with guests and help them understand the intricacies of the reserve’s residents. Aside from winning the title of Best Female Safari Guide in Tanzania, Mishi is an advocate for female empowerment and strives daily to encourage young girls to explore a career in guiding.
Adele, Bobbie, and Beth Garbutt, Owners of Calabash Grenada
Owning and running a luxury hotel on a stunning Caribbean island might seem like you’re living the dream, but for the Garbutt sisters, days are now spent looking at spreadsheets and training staff. Adele (Operations), Beth (F&B), and Bobbie (Marketing & PR) all grew up on the island and watched as their parents turned Calabash Grenada into an award-winning establishment that’s now part of the Relais & Châteaux family. The sisters are strong advocates for sustainable travel, infusing the hotel with a spark that is all their own – whether its growing their own honey, embracing regenerative farming practices, or organising events that uplift local communities.
Kalindi Juneja, CEO, PoB Hotels
Celebrating the best in British hospitality is a mantra that Kalindi Juneja lives by as the CEO of PoB Hotels – and she does this with an all-female team. She has enjoyed over twenty years in the hospitality industry and, as the first female CEO of PoB Hotels, she led the business through a rebrand that brought not just a fresh new vision but also a 400 per cent increase in market share. Kalindi is a strong ambassador for empowering the next generation of talent and has been vocal about finding solutions for pressing issues such as the gender pay gap and supporting women who return to work after starting a family.
Anna Tobias, Founder and Chef, Café Deco
Anna Tobias is no stranger to the value of perseverance. After cutting her teeth working in the kitchens of some of London’s greats – like Jeremy Lee, Margot Henderson, and Ruth Rogers – Anna’s first venture, Café Deco, launched in the middle of the pandemic. She didn’t let this setback stop her from championing local farmers or fostering a positive work environment. Thanks to Anna’s grit and determination, the European restaurant and wine bar withstood the turbulent times and obstacles brought about by Covid-19 to become an award-winning establishment and go-to London spot.
Agapi Sbokou, CEO, Phāea
How do you get guests invigorated about a destination that they’ve been to so many times before? Seeing Greece in a new light is the ethos that guides Agapi Sbokou, CEO of Phāea, the luxury hospitality group that is spearheading an approach towards a ‘truer, more timeless Greece’. Together with her sister Costantza, Agapi grew up in and around hotels, with their father being one of the vanguards of Cretan tourism. This lifelong immersion gives her a distinct edge as a hotelier and CEO – not only has she infused their properties with her love of art through collaborations with the Benaki Museum in Athens, but she has also championed organic farming initiatives, all in pursuit of a more sustainable and authentic guest experience.
Marguita Kracht, Owner, Baur au Lac
Creating memories for generations to come is a specialty of family-run Swiss hotel Baur au Lac, which has been a Zurich favourite since 1844. So when seventh-generation hotelier Marguita Kracht stepped up to the plate as co-owner, alongside her father, she knew she had her work cut out for her. Marguita took the challenge in her stride, completing courses at Boston University and the General Manager programme at Cornell before diving headfirst into roles at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and a number of Aman resorts. Taking her learnings, Marguita works relentlessly to maintain a fine balance between innovation and tradition as the hotel embarks on the next stage in its journey.
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