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The aha Forum, in Partnership with Thomas Franks, returns on Wednesday 5th November at Scale Space, London, bringing together an extraordinary lineup of hospitality leaders, change-makers, and innovators united by one purpose, to create a hospitality world that welcomes everyone.
Across keynotes, panel discussions, and action-focused roundtables, the aha Forum offers an unmissable opportunity to engage directly with senior figures from organisations such as VisitEngland, HelmsBriscoe, Hilton, BM Caterers, Bespoke Hotels, Thomas Franks and many more.
Delegates will explore how accessibility and inclusion not only enrich workplace culture but drive measurable business growth, brand differentiation, and customer loyalty. Designed as a catalyst for action, this year’s second Forum blends strategic insight with lived experience, giving every attendee practical tools and inspiration to embed accessibility into their business model, and lead by example.
The aha Forum, in Partnership with Thomas Franks
Wednesday 5th November
Scale Space, 58 Wood Lane, White City, London, W12 7RZ
10.30 – 11.30 | Registration and Welcome Refreshments
Guests arrive for registration and networking over tea and coffee.
11.30 – 11.35 | Opening of Event
Ross Calladine, Event MC – Accessibility & Inclusion Lead, VisitEngland, and Government-appointed Disability and Access Ambassador (Tourism), opens the Forum and sets the tone for the day.
11.35 – 11.40 | Welcome and Progress Overview
Denis Sheehan, Managing Director, Accessible Hospitality Alliance, provides an overview of actions and tangible progress achieved since the inaugural aha Forum, in Partnership with Thomas Franks, in June.
11.40 – 11.55 | Keynote – Shelley Cowan
Renowned international professional speaker, Shelley Cowan, TEDx Speaker and Associate Partner at BB Merchant Services, shares personal experiences reflecting on both barriers to accessibility in hospitality and examples of exceptional inclusion.
Shelley will explore how operators can differentiate their businesses and reap the rewards of being more inclusive and accessible.
11.55 – 12.00 | Q&A with Shelley Cowan
12.00 – 12.20 | Panel Discussion – Actioning Change
Led by Professor Peter Jones MBE, Chair, The Crumbs Project.
This session examines cultural and operational changes that have taken place as a direct consequence of attending the first aha Forum earlier this year. Panellists share examples of actioned initiatives and explore how inclusion and accessibility create strategic advantage in today’s workplace.
Panellists:
- Garreth Walsh, General Manager of Kimpton Fitzroy London
- Vicky Freeman, Chief People Officer, Thomas Franks
- Ben Schobs, Regional Chef Manager & Access Champion, BM Caterers
- Steve Wilks, Partner & Access Champion, BB Merchant Services
12.20 – 12.25 | Q&A with Panel
12.25 – 12.35 | Spotlight Session – The Business Benefits of Inclusive Employment
Shawn Pisani, Vice President, HelmsBriscoe, outlines how accessibility and inclusion directly contribute to commercial performance and organisational resilience.
12.35 – 12.40 | Q&A with Shawn Pisani
12.40 – 13.45 | Lunch and Networking
13.45 – 14.10 | Roundtable Discussions – Sponsored by Meiko UK
Delegates will join facilitated discussion groups exploring different dimensions of accessibility and inclusion across hospitality.
Roundtable Leaders and Topics:
- Stephen Maley – Accessibility: A Financial Opportunity, Not a Cost Centre
Drawing on a career that began in orthotics and prosthetics for children and leadership at HEWI, Stephen now advises organisations on embedding accessibility as a driver of innovation and growth. - Charlotte Evans – The Accessible Hotel Experience
With over 25 years in media, including more than a decade as Group Publishing Director at Condé Nast Johansens, Charlotte leads a conversation on creating truly inclusive hotel environments. - Peter Avis – The Fully Inclusive Workplace
Business Development Manager for F&D, Venues and Community Relationships at the London Hilton on Park Lane, Peter explores workplace culture as the foundation of inclusion. - Joanne Reay & Mike Tunnicliffe – Maintaining the Entertainment and Hospitality Accessibility Bridge
Joanne Reay, Co-Founder and CEO, 0UTLYER, and Mike Tunnicliffe, Founder, Inclusion Partners, discuss how creative industries can sustain the momentum between entertainment and hospitality accessibility. - Steve Welsh – ROI for Accessible Businesses: Overcoming Barriers to Entry
The Director of Holistic Thinking Holidays examines how accessible business models deliver measurable social and financial returns. - Ed Warner MBE – Beautifully Accessible – How can hospitality spaces be both stunning and seamlessly inclusive? Ed Warner MBE is CEO and Co-Founder of Motionspot. This session explores how thoughtful, compliant, and flexible design can elevate the guest experience for everyone — proving that accessibility and aesthetics not only coexist, but make business sense.
- Donna-Marie Edmonds – A shared vision: to create accessible, inclusive pathways into hospitality careers for people living with disabilities, including those in prison preparing to rebuild their lives through training and work. Donna-Marie Edmonds is Chief Executive of The Clink Charity, The Clink’s programmes equip prisoners with culinary and front-of-house skills to re-enter society with dignity, purpose, and the tools to build a sustainable career in hospitality. That mission sits closely alongside aha’s work in removing barriers to employment in hospitality for people living with disabilities, making workplaces not just open, but welcoming.
- Kim Hoque – The role of government in driving inclusion. Professor Kim Hoque of King’s College London, and co-founder of the Disability Employment Charter, explores how hospitality businesses can help lobby government to introduce more robust disability policy to increase inclusion in hospitality and across the economy more widely.
14.10 – 14.40 | Roundtable Feedback Presentations
Each roundtable lead shares key findings and practical takeaways from their group discussions.
14.40 – 14.50 | Q&A with Roundtable Leads
14.50 – 15.10 | Panel Discussion – Communicating Accessibility
Led by Lee Whalley, Head of Operations, The Crumbs Project
This discussion focuses on how to effectively communicate accessibility—ensuring guests, clients, and communities know when businesses are genuinely inclusive.
Panellists:
- Robin Sheppard, President and Co-Founder, Bespoke Hotels, and Chair & Co-Founder, Accessible Hospitality Alliance
- James Dixon-Box, Operations Director, Marsham Court Hotel, and UK Government-appointed Disability & Access Ambassador for the Hospitality Industry
- Ben Weston-Conway, Group Director of Marketing & Communications, Thomas Franks
- Michael McGrath MBE, Founder & CEO, Muscle Help Foundation
15.10 – 15.15 | Q&A with Panellists
15.15 – 15.35 | Refreshment Break
Tea, coffee, and informal networking.
15.35 – 15.45 | George Shippey – An Accessible Future
George Shippey, a young man living with disability, shares his personal story and vision for a future where accessibility is universal and celebrated.
15.45 – 15.50 | Q&A with George
15.50 – 16.00 | Frank Bothwell – Diversity in the Workplace
Frank Bothwell, Group CEO and Founder of Thomas Franks, explores how kindness-driven leadership, diversity, and inclusion have shaped the company’s culture and success.
Thomas Franks employs more than 3,000 people globally, achieved Platinum accreditation from Investors in People 2025, and was named among The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Work. Through The Thomas Franks Foundation, over 3.5 million meals have been donated to people at risk of food poverty.
16.00 – 16.05 | Q&A with Frank Bothwell
16.05 | Closing Remarks and Opening of Social Session
Denis Sheehan, Managing Director, Accessible Hospitality Alliance, closes the day’s formal discussions and opens the social reception.
16.05 – 18.00 | Networking – Canapés, Champagne, Wine, Beer and Soft Drinks with a Live Performance by Emmanuel Kelly.
Emmanuel’s incredible career includes…
- Headline Opener – Coldplay’s Music of Spheres World Tour
- Founder of 0UTLYER with Coldplay’s Chris Martin & Joanne Reay
- Headliner – FIFA Club World Cup Final Halftime Show 2025
