HOSPA celebrates a decade of leadership as Jane Pendlebury marks 10 years as CEO

The Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA) is celebrating a major milestone as Jane Pendlebury marks 10 years at the helm as Chief Executive Officer.

Since her appointment in early 2016, Jane has been a transformative force for the association, navigating the organisation through a decade of unprecedented industry change.

Under her leadership, HOSPA has solidified its position as the UK’s leading voice for hospitality professionals in finance, revenue management, technology and marketing, while significantly expanding its educational reach and membership base.

Jane’s tenure has been defined by a commitment to resilience and collaborative innovation. Most notably, she steered the association through the existential challenges of the pandemic, which saw her working closely with key industry partners and operators in support of the wider sector. This collaborative effort included the production of essential best-practice guidelines for hotel recovery operations, providing a vital roadmap for the sector during its most turbulent period.

Her leadership has also seen the association’s flagship conference, HOSPACE, grow into one of the leading events in the hospitality calendar – recently celebrating its 20th anniversary edition with record attendance.  And Jane also persevered against all odds to deliver the first virtual HOSPACE in 2020 – helping to ensure hospitality professionals could continue receiving crucial insights during a time of peak pandemic restrictions.

Jane’s successful impact is also evident in the association’s wider performance, with HOSPA’s Professional Development arm also going from strength to strength. 

Supporting a record number of learners with a consistent 95% success rate, the organisation has also included the launch of specialised programmes such as its recently announced Revenue Management for Meeting Space course.

Having begun her career as a trainee duty manager at De Vere Hotels before moving into hospitality technology, Jane has a deep-rooted understanding of the sector’s technical and human elements, which has allowed her to bridge the gap between complex digital transformation and the traditional values of hospitality, forming the lynchpin of a sophisticated network of hospitality professionals.

Commenting on the anniversary, Jane said: "The last ten years have flown by, and it’s a privilege to lead such a vibrant and essential association. Hospitality is, at its heart, about people, and my greatest joy has been watching our members and learners thrive despite the challenges our sector has faced during that period. We’ve moved from the 'growth at all costs' era to a more sophisticated, value-driven approach, and I’m incredibly proud that HOSPA has been at the forefront of that evolution. I look forward to continuing to support the next generation of industry leaders as they navigate the exciting opportunities ahead in 2026 and beyond."

The milestone comes at a busy time for the association, which recently hosted its 2026 Professional Development Learner Awards at The Savoy, London. The event highlighted the sheer calibre of talent emerging from HOSPA’s programmes and is testament to the high standards Jane has championed throughout her decade in charge.

Chris Cowls, Chairman of HOSPA, also commented on the milestone, saying: “Jane’s leadership over the past ten years has been nothing short of exemplary. She possesses a rare combination of technical expertise and genuine empathy for the workforce, which has made her an invaluable asset not just to HOSPA, but to the wider hospitality community. Her ability to pivot and adapt in an ever-changing commercial landscape ensures that our members are always equipped with the tools they need to succeed. We are delighted to celebrate this decade of achievement with her.”