Latest news with #CharlieMacGregor
Hospitality Net
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
The 2025 Mews Unfold Awards: Honoring Excellence in Hospitality
Held as the grand finale of this year's Mews Unfold conference, the 2025 Mews Unfold Awards were a fantastic way to wrap up an already energizing day. It was great to be there in person as the Mews team shined a spotlight on some of the most forward-thinking people and brands in hospitality. This was all about sincere recognition for the people and ideas driving hospitality forward. Five awards were presented, each highlighting a different kind of impact: 🏆 Most Innovative Brand (sponsored by Omniboost) Nominees: Zedwell Hotels, Habyt, LyLo Winner: Habyt, for redefining modern living with a flexible, forward-thinking, tech-enabled model. 🏆 Most Hospitable Brand Nominees: Hotel Monte Astoria, Maison Mère, The Dylan Amsterdam Winner: Hotel Montestyria Chalets & Suites, for turning a bold, risky project into a heartfelt, guest-centric success. 🏆 Most Innovative Integration (sponsored by Hospitality Net) Nominees: Bloc Hotels, Hey Lou Hotels, Finn Lough Winner: Hey Lou Hotels, for using attribute-based selling and integrations to create personalized, revenue-generating experiences. 🏆 Social Impact Leader Nominees: Haltia Lake Lodge, Comfort Hotel Solna (Strawberry Group), Bob W. Winner: Haltia Lake Lodge (Finland), for their regenerative, community-led sustainability model. 🏆 Most Innovative Hotelier Nominees: Martin Kemmer (Hey Lou), Katharina & Nicholas Richter-Wallmann (Hotel Zum Hirschen), Charlie MacGregor (The Social Hub) Winner: Charlie MacGregor, for reshaping hospitality through mixed-use community spaces and forward-thinking design. As a sponsor of the Most Innovative Integration award, we at Hospitality Net were proud to play a small part in recognizing the talent and creativity on display. The awards were not about trophies or competition. They were about shining a light on the ideas and efforts that often happen behind the scenes, and the people who help move the industry forward through their work. Congratulations to all the winners, and to the Mews team for recognizing that the future of hospitality deserves to be celebrated!
Travel Daily News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Mews launches Hospitality Industry Advisory Board
Mews launches Hospitality Industry Advisory Board, uniting global hotel leaders to drive innovation, address challenges, and shape the future of hospitality technology. AMSTERDAM – Mews, industry-leading hospitality cloud, has announced the launch of the Hospitality Industry Advisory Board to continue its pioneering work within hospitality technology. The creation of the board reflects Mews' status as a pioneer of hospitality technology and highlights its commitment to transform experiences for both staff and guests. The diverse group will meet to discuss emerging trends, identify key challenges and work collectively to ensure hospitality evolves to meet changing needs and conditions. 'Since Mews was founded in 2012, we've been at the forefront of hospitality innovation. This success doesn't happen in isolation, and we've always sought the input and expertise of hoteliers. Our advisory board continues this important mission,' said Matt Welle, CEO of Mews, and Co-Chair of the board. 'Technology has a vital role in making the world more hospitable, but meaningful change only happens if it's driven by people who understand our industry. I'm really proud that so many inspirational leaders are devoting their time to drive our product strategy forward and reimagine what's possible.' The board is made up of forward-thinking hoteliers with decades of on-the-ground hospitality experience, as well as leaders in hotel technology and management groups. Members include Charlie MacGregor, CEO & Founder of The Social Hub, Bashar Wali, Founder & CEO of Practice Hospitality, Halima Aziz, Head of Hotels at Criterion Capital, and Dina Belon, President of Staypineapple. 'I've worked with Mews for years and have seen first-hand their commitment to driving our industry forward with bold moves, just how we at The Social Hub like to run our business,' said Charlie MacGregor, CEO & Founder at The Social Hub. 'It's exciting to be a part of this board and to swap ideas with fellow forward thinkers to help disrupt the way we approach hospitality. Our industry is all about people, and I truly believe that we can create systemic change and positive social impact through new models that enhance the guest experience, our employees' lives, and the communities we serve.' The Hospitality Industry Advisory Board is also an opportunity for Mews to receive first-hand learnings and advice about evolving staff and guest needs. These conversations will help inform the company's decision-making and strategy to ensure that they continue to lead from the front with product development. Bashar Wali, CEO & Founder of Practice Hospitality, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of innovation in hospitality. 'The future of hospitality isn't spreadsheets and software – it's soul. It's about moments, not modules. This board isn't just advisory – it's insurgent. We're here to stir the pot, not sip the Kool-Aid. Mews gets it. They've never followed the playbook, and now, we get to help them write the next chapter. I'm not here to nod along – I'm here to challenge, to build, to innovate.' The Hospitality Industry Advisory Board members are: Alessandro Bottero, Director of Data Strategy & Analytics, Lark Director of Data Strategy & Analytics, Basha Wali, Founder, Practice Hospitality & This Assembly Founder, & Charlie MacGregor, Founder & CEO, The Social Hub Founder & CEO, Dina Belon, President, Staypineapple President, Gorjan Lazarov, CEO, Orea Hotels CEO, Halima Aziz, Head of Hotels, Criterion Hospitality Head of Hotels, J o Geneen, Independent Consultant o Independent Consultant Julia Record, Global Director of Communications and Partnerships, Dorchester Collection Global Director of Communications and Partnerships, Kari Anna Fiskvik, SVP Technology, Strawberry SVP Technology, Kevin Machefert, CEO, Machefert Group CEO, Laurent Lacourt, Co-Founder & COO, Emerald Stay Co-Founder & COO, Niko Karstikko, Co-Founder & CEO, Bob W Co-Founder & CEO, Suzanne Dau, Director of Technology Management, BWH Hotels Director of Technology Management, Valerie Parkes, Senior Director of Business Relations, Choice International
Hospitality Net
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Mews Launches Hospitality Industry Advisory Board to Redefine Future of Travel
Mews, the industry-leading hospitality cloud, has announced the launch of the Hospitality Industry Advisory Board to continue its pioneering work within hospitality technology. The creation of the board reflects Mews' status as a pioneer of hospitality technology and highlights its commitment to transform experiences for both staff and guests. The diverse group will meet to discuss emerging trends, identify key challenges and work collectively to ensure hospitality evolves to meet changing needs and conditions. Since Mews was founded in 2012, we've been at the forefront of hospitality innovation. This success doesn't happen in isolation, and we've always sought the input and expertise of hoteliers. Our advisory board continues this important mission. Technology has a vital role in making the world more hospitable, but meaningful change only happens if it's driven by people who understand our industry. I'm really proud that so many inspirational leaders are devoting their time to drive our product strategy forward and reimagine what's possible. Matt Welle, CEO of Mews, and Co-Chair of the board The board is made up of forward-thinking hoteliers with decades of on-the-ground hospitality experience, as well as leaders in hotel technology and management groups. Members include Charlie MacGregor, CEO & Founder of The Social Hub, Bashar Wali, Founder & CEO of Practice Hospitality, Halima Aziz, Head of Hotels at Criterion Capital, and Dina Belon, President of Staypineapple. I've worked with Mews for years and have seen first-hand their commitment to driving our industry forward with bold moves, just how we at The Social Hub like to run our business. It's exciting to be a part of this board and to swap ideas with fellow forward thinkers to help disrupt the way we approach hospitality. Our industry is all about people, and I truly believe that we can create systemic change and positive social impact through new models that enhance the guest experience, our employees' lives, and the communities we serve. Charlie MacGregor, CEO & Founder at The Social Hub The Hospitality Industry Advisory Board is also an opportunity for Mews to receive first-hand learnings and advice about evolving staff and guest needs. These conversations will help inform the company's decision-making and strategy to ensure that they continue to lead from the front with product development. Bashar Wali, CEO & Founder of Practice Hospitality, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of innovation in hospitality. The future of hospitality isn't spreadsheets and software - it's soul. It's about moments, not modules. This board isn't just advisory - it's insurgent. We're here to stir the pot, not sip the Kool-Aid. Mews gets it. They've never followed the playbook, and now, we get to help them write the next chapter. I'm not here to nod along - I'm here to challenge, to build, to innovate. About Mews Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality. Powering over 12,500 customers across more than 85 countries, Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include BWH Hotels, Strawberry, The Social Hub and Airelles Collection. Mews was named Best PMS (2024, 2025) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) by Hotel Tech Report. Mews has raised $410 million from investors including Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Kinnevik and Tiger Global to transform hospitality. Katie Halfhead Senior Communications Manager
The Herald Scotland
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
The student housing pioneer who became 'better society' guru
Charlie MacGregor, the Netherlands-based businessman behind TSH, a B-corp certified brand which started out by creating a new model for student accommodation, is determined to use his company to, he said, create 'a shift in the needle'. The Better Society Academy held in Glasgow's Merchant City this week is part of that effort, bringing together more than 30 leaders in the emerging 'new economy' to share ideas, forge partnerships, and accelerate climate action, as part of its Europe-wide masterclass series. For MacGregor these events are about bringing people together to 'listen with both ears'. An advocate of the thought of Rutger Bregman, whose books, Humankind: A Hopeful History and Moral Ambition, are hopeful about the possibility of humans solving the world's problems, he believes in bringing people together to find answers. The Glasgow programme of The Better Society Academy, titled 'Changemakers Leading the Way to Net Zero: Inspiring Stories of Collaboration and Impact', will feature leading figures in sustainability, business, design, and activism. Among them are Anna Campbell-Jones, designer and presenter of BBC's Scotland's Home of the Year; climate activist Clover Hogan, plastic pollution campaigner Laura Young. Alison McRae, Senior Director, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Ally Mitchell, founder of Ocean Plastic Pots. Ahead of the event, first minister John Swinney, who will deliver a keynote speech, described tackling climate as 'intrinsic to the nation's success'. The Better Society Academy (Image: TSH) MacGregor, whose father built the first-ever student housing building in 1980 for the University of Edinburgh, began his own journey as property entrepreneur, when he purchased a small student accommodation company at the age of 25, which he sold 10 years later. It was when he moved to the Netherlands and became aware of a student housing crisis in Europe that he saw the opportunity to create a new model. 'When I started The Student Hotel, I wanted to give students better because I saw that what they had before and I thought that was pretty bad and they deserved better as the next generation of our movers and shakers.' READ MORE: The approach was ground-breaking at the time, 2006. MacGregor, who didn't go to university himself, but left school at 16 and worked in building construction, recalled: 'Everybody told me in the beginning. Don't mix students with hotel customers. That's going to be dangerous. There's going to be old corporate men jumping on young students. And never mix your locals with business community of co-workers. "But we have one open door. We bring everybody together and what I started to see what happened when you mix people together by bringing these different demographics together. 'Most student accommodation blocks are full of one demographic or one stereotype. 300 students without any adults there will behave like 300 students – just as you know the same when you take a group of guys to a football match, they believe behave like a group of guys at a football match.' 'What I saw was that by blending them together, you create a better society. We really believe that. We're social. We want that to be our main thrust.' The Social Hub, Candleriggs, Glasgow (Image: TSH) The TSH model of student accommodation, he described, brings enormous value to the neighbourhoods in which it is built. 'We're four times more valuable for a city than a standalone hotel," he said. "That's four times more social and economic value. We're still working it out for students accommodation and I think it's going to be 8 to 10 times more valuable than the than a standalone student accommodation. We've got real data to show what the social, the regeneration value that we bring to a city is." The idea behind both TSH and the Better Society Academy is to bring people together in order to try to understand each other's point of view. 'It's a space,' said MacGregor, 'where people can just hear and you can agree to disagree and it's totally fine. And I think we've forgotten a little bit in society that it's OK to disagree.' 'In today's society, we like to pigeonhole ourselves. We like to say you're left. You're right. You're pro. You're anti. And even if I look at myself I don't want to be left or right. I'm kind of in the middle, and even if you're there then you'll be attacked from both sides.' What he hopes is that the big investors which have shares in TSH, but also in so many of the planet's companies, will start to say, 'Look, we've got this little company in Holland and they gave away 1% and they drive 5% of their revenues.' 'If I can really show," he said, "these other businesses that by being social, by welcoming the neighbours, and hosting Better Society Academies, by being a better corporation for my local neighbourhood, that is driving my bottom line, then I will start to move the needle.' MacGregor is also co-founder of the refugee support NGO, Movement On The Ground - and his sense of social purpose came out of the response he had to the global refugee crisis in 2015. Charlie MacGregor, entrepreneur behind The Social Hub and The Better Society Academy (Image: Rachel Ecclestone) At the time, he had three hotels in Holland and he called a government minister to say that he had 1500 rooms and could take refugees, and started to take them in. 'Then we started collecting clothes and I was nervous of what the neighbours would say. I was collecting clothes for refugees.' But what hit him most was seeing the shocking image of Alan Kurdi, the Syrian refugee toddler washed up dead on a beach in Turkey. 'I was sitting on my bed at the time, putting my socks on and I saw his image burst out crying. My son, my youngest son, who was the same age as him, walked into the room and said, 'Hey Daddy, what's going on? He had never seen me cry like that before. And I picked him up and I was so grateful that my son was here and I was alive, that I decided I'm doing the wrong stuff. I want to do more.' With a good friend, he went out to Lesbos to help, and two weeks later he was 'in the sea helping people get off a boat and onto land and making sandwiches for 1000 people', 'I guess at the moment,' he said, 'when I got off my CEO pedestal, the moment that I stopped holding meetings and started doing something myself, it put in place the piece of the jigsaw that hadn't been there previously. I came back and I I felt much more comfortable getting involved. It also seemed that everybody wanted to help us. Everybody that I spoke to from businesses to banks to investors to customers to locals, everybody was excited about what we were doing there. That kind of changed me that that gave me more guts to put my heart on my sleeve.' 'Changemakers Leading the Way to Net Zero' is at The Social Hub in Glasgow's Merchant City from April 29 till May 2
The National
24-04-2025
- Business
- The National
John Swinney to headline Glasgow event on European climate
John Swinney will deliver the keynote speech next Friday at The Social Hub event, touted by organisers as the most significant climate event in the city since Cop26. The Better Society Academy will take place at the city centre venue from April 29 until May 2, bringing together business leaders, activists and experts. It follows on from events in Amsterdam and Vienna. READ MORE: John Swinney accuses Scottish Tories of trans rights U-turn as old comments resurface The three-and-a-half-day event is run by the TSH Talent Foundation, a non-profit established by The Social Hub, a hybrid hospitality firm founded by Edinburgh-born entrepreneur Charlie MacGregor. The First Minister said: 'I can think of no better setting than the city that hosted Cop26 just a few years ago, to bring together forward-thinking young leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers – all working collectively to tackle one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the twin climate and nature crisis. 'This event is an example of the positive impact B-Corp organisations in Scotland like The Social Hub can bring to cities like Glasgow. (Image: PA Wires) 'The Better Society Academy is committed to inclusive, action-driven learning, and reminds us of what's possible when we bring like-minded people together to build a better future. 'This attitude closely aligns with my ambition to build a better Scotland for generations to come, which is translated into the four core priorities I have set for my Government: eradicating child poverty; stimulating Scotland's economy; ensuring high-quality, sustainable public services; and tackling the climate emergency. 'Tackling the climate and nature emergency is intrinsically linked to the success of our nation. It is not just about numbers and carbon targets – it is about improving lives, restoring nature, and securing Scotland's future prosperity.' The event will come just a week after the Scottish Government dropped a key climate change target to cut car use in Scotland by 20% by the end of the decade. And that follows on from last year's decision to abandon Scotland's legally binding target to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030. The 2025 Glasgow programme, Changemakers Leading the Way to Net Zero: Inspiring Stories of Collaboration and Impact, will feature figures in sustainability, business, design, and activism. Among the speakers are Anna Campbell-Jones, designer and presenter of the BBC's Scotland's Home Of The Year programme; Clover Hogan, climate activist and founder of Force of Nature; Alison McRae, senior director at the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce; and economist Mattia Romani. Frank Uffen, chairman of the TSH Talent Foundation and adviser to The Social Hub's board, said: 'The First Minister's attendance at this event shows how important these issues are to Scotland and all nations and the potential for changemakers in all industries to make a difference. READ MORE: Piers Morgan stunned following American journalist's Gaza genocide response 'This event will equip emerging changemakers with the networks, insight and tools to drive real transformation in their communities. 'We're proud to be hosting them here in Glasgow – a city with a deep legacy of innovation and global outlook.'
