HOSPA appoints Janel Clark as Head of Professional Development

HOSPA has announced the appointment of Janel Clark as its new Head of Professional Development.

A key addition to the leadership team, Janel is set to oversee the association’s educational programmes, reinforcing HOSPA's long-standing commitment to nurturing talent within the industry.

She steps into the role with a clear understanding of the association’s educational framework, having served as a tutor on HOSPA’s Revenue Management course for eight years. Janel’s appointment comes following a strong year for HOSPA’s professional development arm, with the department currently providing 19 courses to 150 learners, supported by a team of four tutors.

Recent performance figures indicate a 95% success rate among students, with 67% achieving a Distinction.

Janel has an extensive background in hospitality, which is supported by formal educational qualifications. Having  worked as an industry trainer and consulting lecturer with several Hospitality schools, Janel completed her PGCE to become a qualified teacher during the pandemic, which means she brings years of experience as well as a passion for learning. In her new position, she aims to focus on the evolving needs of the workforce, particularly the younger generation who will form the next cohort of industry leaders.

Commenting, Janel said: "For younger generations, the idea of career progression is incredibly important. They want to work somewhere where they feel they’re being developed and invested in. At HOSPA, our view of training is not as a cost, but as this  investment in people and their future.My passion is watching our learners grow, in knowledge and confidence, and become the best they can be. I love education and the people development side of the industry and I look forward to ensuring our programmes continue to offer that value."

The professional development team manages a significant workload, with the 2025 academic schedule to date having involved marking 576 assignments and six Applied Business Projects.

Building on this momentum, Janel will also manage the launch of a new revenue management programme specifically tailored for meeting spaces.

Reflecting further on her appointment, Janel Clark said: "It is a privilege to lead professional development at HOSPA. The consistency of the current courses is evident in the high number of Distinctions achieved and I look forward to working with the tutors and learners to build on these foundations, ensuring HOSPA remains a leading voice for education in the sector."

Jane Pendlebury, HOSPA’s CEO, commented, saying: “We’re delighted to welcome Janel into the role. She already has a fantastic track record with HOSPA and she’s exceptional when it comes to understanding the needs of our learners. It means we’re supremely confident that Janel’s leadership will help us continue to equip our members with the practical skills necessary to succeed in our demanding yet wonderfully rewarding industry.”