Keeping Hospitality Strong: An Interview with Jeremy Gibson

For those who may not know, can you tell us about the mission and work of Hospitality Action?

At Hospitality Action, we’re here to support the hospitality industry, and those who work within it, through thick and thin.

The charity offers financial grants, counselling, and advisory support to ensure that hospitality employees have a support network beyond the workplace.

With no funding coming from the government or other sources, every pound we raise through fundraising, events and partnerships is vital. Whether it be overcoming bereavement, bullying, poverty, addiction, or physical or mental wellbeing, we’re here to help you and your teams.

Jeremy Gibson

Walk for Wellbeing has become a much-anticipated initiative in the industry. What inspired it, and how can hospitality businesses and individuals take part?

Walk for Wellbeing was spearheaded by industry leader Craig Prentice as a way to promote both mental and physical wellbeing. The first event was held in central London, in 2020, with a small group walking 20km to raise funds for Hospitality Action. This was when social distancing rules were in place and only groups of six were allowed to be together outdoors.

Held annually, it has since grown into a national movement, and in 2025 will be held in 12 locations across the UK, with over 1000 hospitality employees set to take part this October. Businesses and individuals can get involved by setting up their teams, registering and fundraising for the 20km walk. Alternatively, those looking to support further can also sponsor Walk for Wellbeing, joining some of the industry’s leading organisations in making a real impact. You can find out more about sponsorship opportunities by emailing fundraising@hospitalityaction.org.uk.

We’ve seen increasing awareness around mental health and wellbeing in hospitality. What trends or shifts have you observed in recent years?

We have noticed a clear shift towards actively speaking about the importance of mental health in the industry. More businesses are putting additional support networks into place, such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP’s), helping team members access professional support, alongside internal wellbeing initiatives.

We have also seen a rise in management teams seeking support themselves. Running a hospitality business has never been more complex, with ongoing pressures around costs, staffing and legislation making it even more challenging in 2025.

Hospitality Action recently conducted a survey on wellbeing in the industry. What were the most striking insights or key takeaways?

In addition to persistent staff shortages, exacerbated by the recent National Insurance hikes in April, with an additional 69,000 jobs lost, almost half of the respondents of the survey said that they have a poor work/life balance, and of those, two in three (62%) junior employees believe burnout is just part of the job.

This normalisation of stress and fatigue has serious consequences. Three in five people experiencing burnout daily also report mental health issues, while under-resourcing was cited as the top challenge affecting wellbeing, up 21% on last year. Excessive workloads and poor work/life balance have also increased significantly, making mental health the third most common reason for workplace absence.

While progress has undeniably been made – 78% of staff are now more comfortable discussing mental health than five years ago – the pace of support is failing to keep up with the scale of the challenge. Additionally, 63% fear speaking up will harm their career, and a third of employees say their organisation has no clear support in place. What’s clear is that while we have made huge leaps, there is still a long way to go in terms of supporting those working within the industry that we all know and love.

Why is it so important to keep the conversation around wellbeing going, and what more can we do as a sector to create lasting impact?

The challenges facing our industry are not getting any easier, so wellbeing must remain a priority. We live in an incredibly connected world where speaking about issues or worries is actively encouraged; however, people still struggle to know where to turn when things get tough. That’s why our work as the industry’s leading charity, is crucial. From fundraising to actively promoting EAPs to employees, everyone in the industry has a part to play in keeping the conversation going. In order to create a lasting impact, we need to educate the next generation of leaders, so that supporting wellbeing can be seen as the norm and can encourage our industry to grow and prosper.

Beyond Walk for Wellbeing, how can individuals and businesses support the work of Hospitality Action throughout the year?

We have a calendar of charitable events throughout the year. Attending these events directly helps us raise much-needed funds to support those in crisis. We also collaborate with businesses of all sizes, helping them meet their CSR, ESG, communication, and philanthropic objectives. We’re always open to new ideas and love exploring creative ways to make the very most of every partnership.

Equally important is spreading the word about Hospitality Actions’ EAP and other support services, so more people in the industry know where to find help. Every contribution – big or small – makes a difference. Without your help, we simply could not do what we do to help those in need.

What do you think makes the hospitality industry so unique when it comes to its people and culture?

The hospitality industry is all about people. We work with people, and our job is to make people feel welcome, cared for and valued – but those working in the industry are just as much a part of the hospitality experience as the food, wine, or room they provide.

Working often unusual hours means that hospitality teams often form bonds that go far beyond the workplace. That “all in it together” feeling has been part of our industry since we first launched our charity over 180 years ago, and it’s as strong today as ever.

Looking ahead, how do you see the hospitality industry evolving over the next 5 to 10 years, particularly around wellbeing and workforce sustainability?

The way in which we work together as a team is going to become increasingly important, especially as the hospitality industry looks to grow its workforce within uncertain economic times. The importance and focus on team members’ wellbeing is only going to be more crucial as the next 5 to 10 years come around, with Gen-Z and Generation Alpha more entuned emotionally and ready to voice when they are and aren’t happy. It’s time for the hospitality industry to put wellbeing and workforce sustainability at the top of the agenda, as without our fun, outgoing, and personable teams, hospitality simply can’t function.

Caterer.com has been a proud partner of Hospitality Action for many years. From your perspective, what role does recruitment play in building a healthier, more resilient industry, and how can platforms like Caterer.com help further?

Recruitment is key for the growth of the hospitality industry. Without business continuously challenging their practices to bring in the best talent, the industry simply won’t improve standards and the experiences of guests. Recruiters should feel inspired by the fact that placing the next generation of talents in hospitality is not just filling a role, it’s opening the door to a career. Platforms like Caterer.com play an essential role in attracting, engaging, and retaining the next generation of hospitality professionals, ensuring they form the future of the hospitality industry.