The Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA) has shortlisted 15 finalists for its 2026 Inspirational Leader Awards, with winners to be revealed at the HOSPACE Gala Awards Dinner on 12 November 2026 at the Royal Lancaster London.

The awards span five categories — finance, revenue management, technology, ESG and commercial leadership — each sponsored by a different industry supplier, and each carrying three finalists drawn from UK hotel groups, management companies and individual properties.

Finance

The finalists for Inspirational Finance Leader of the Year, sponsored by BDO, are Sam Hartley, Group Finance Director at Dakota Hotels; Joanna Powley, Financial Director at Nirvana Spa Collection; and Suleyman Dogan, Financial Director at Hart Shoreditch.

Revenue management

The Inspirational Revenue Manager of the Year category, sponsored by Right Revenue and Edwards & Finn, features Monica Arriero, Director of Revenue & Commercial Delivery at Axiom Hospitality; Shaun Wright, Director of Revenue at Dakota Hotels; and Maria Forsberg, Senior Director of Revenue Management at Dominus Hospitality. Dakota Hotels lands a second shortlisting here, making the group the only operator with finalists in two categories.

Technology

For Inspirational Technology Leader of the Year, sponsored by Exponential-e, the finalists are Rebecca Prizeman, Group Head of Digital and Operational Systems at Watergate Bay Hotel & Another Place Group; Lee Snowdon, Business Systems Manager at Cairn Group; and Liutauras Vaitkevicius, CEO of Apex Alliance Hotel Management.

ESG

The Inspirational ESG Leader of the Year shortlist, sponsored by Humelab, comprises Alex Matulina, ESG Manager at PPHE Hotel Group; Helen Bishop, Group Head of Sustainability and Engagement at Watergate Bay Hotel & Another Place Group; and Magaly Etter, ESG Manager at Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa. Watergate Bay & Another Place Group joins Dakota in holding two finalist slots across the programme.

Commercial

The Inspirational Commercial Leader of the Year category, sponsored by QX Global, lists Andrew Secker, Commercial Director at RBH Hospitality Management; Tina O'Hara, Commercial Director at Cairn Group — the group's second finalist of the year — and Teresa Kingston, Group Commercial Director at Luxury Family Hotels.

Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA, said: "The calibre of this year's finalists highlights the incredible talent, passion and expertise across the hospitality industry. Each individual has demonstrated a commitment to driving positive change, inspiring others and shaping the future of our sector.

"We are delighted to celebrate their achievements through the awards and look forward to revealing this year's winners at HOSPACE."

The gala dinner sits within the annual HOSPACE conference, which is expected to draw more than 600 hospitality professionals for a programme of presentations, industry discussions and networking.

The awards arrive as HOSPA broadens its events footprint. The association recently acquired the National Hotel Marketing Conference, adding the established event to a portfolio aimed at hospitality marketing and commercial professionals — a move that extends its reach beyond finance and revenue management, the disciplines around which it was founded.

Winners will be confirmed at the Royal Lancaster London ceremony in November.