Sector figures recognised in King’s New Year’s Honours: Mark McCulloch, founder and chief executive of Supersonic Inc and fractional chief marketing officer at Prezzo Italian, and chef Marcus Wareing, are among those from the sector recognised in the King’s New Year’s Honours. McCulloch was awarded an MBE for services to hospitality. McCulloch has dedicated more than 25 years to supporting hospitality, leisure and retail businesses, shaping the growth and brand evolution of brands including Pret A Manger, YO!, Fuller’s, Dishoom, Costa Coffee and Bill’s. In addition to his brand strategy work, McCulloch was a driving force behind the Hospitality Rising UK recruitment movement, which generated more than 300,000 applications for the industry during a time of severe staffing shortages. He is also the creator of HospitalityMarketingGuru, a new training platform designed to level up the skills of the next generation of hospitality marketers, and host of the long-running podcast “Supersonic with Mark McC”. McCulloch said: “Hospitality is a people-first industry – full of heart, creativity and resilience. To play a part in helping the industry attract its next generation of talent during its toughest time was a real privilege. I’ve dedicated my career to telling its stories, championing its people and helping its businesses thrive regardless of size. This honour is a reflection of the incredible operators, leaders and marketers I’ve had the privilege to work with and is as much for them as it is for me.” David Campbell, chair of Hospitality Rising, Ole & Steen, Gaucho, said of the award: “I am thrilled to see Mark receive this well-earned recognition for his contribution to hospitality, particularly as the founder and driving force behind Hospitality Rising. Mark has an unwavering passion and drive, especially for hospitality, and against the odds, he secured private funding to create the multi-award-winning Hospitality Rising campaign, which transformed perceptions of working in hospitality and inspired the next generation of talent. Mark’s consumer-driven insight and enthusiasm leave a lasting legacy with everyone he meets.” Wareing, a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals and who previously ran restaurants including the Michelin-starred Marcus in London's Belgravia and the Gilbert Scott, at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London, was also awarded an MBE for services to the culinary arts. Clement Ogbonnaya, chief executive and founder of pub group, Village People, received an MBE for services to hospitality and business. The group was launched in 2022 to acquire old and disused pubs in London, and regenerate them into “stylish, welcoming and inclusive multi-functional community hubs”. He founded the Prince of Peckham after working as a promoter for clubs across the capital, before adding Queen of the South in Tulse Hill in 2023. However, the pub closed this month after Ogbonnaya was unable to raise £500,000 needed to buy the freehold. MBEs were also awarded to Teresa Colaianni, founder and chair of WiHTL and Diversity in Retail for services to inclusion in the hospitality, travel, leisure and retail sectors; Claire Bruce, who was lately chair of VisitAberdeenshire, for services to tourism in the north east of Scotland; Dr Paul Hegarty, trustee of the Licensed Trade Charity, for charitable service to the hospitality sector; and Steven Munkley, vice-president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, for services to the hospitality industry and young people. Meanwhile, Peter Bruce, chief executive of catering company Entier, was awarded a CBE for services to the catering industry and to charity.

Propel’s sector-leading guide to the UK’s 500 largest hospitality companies returns in January, to be made free to Premium subscribers on day of publication: The Propel 500 – 2026 report will analyse the companies leading the charge in hospitality, reporting on turnover, number of sites, and key staff. The guide will also include exclusive analysis to provide a full understanding of the market’s dynamics. Mark Wingett will delve into the mergers and acquisitions shaping the future of the top 500. Tim Street dissects the UK’s rapidly-developing franchise market and, as the experiential leisure sector becomes a cornerstone of modern hospitality, Katherine Doggrell will assess the rise of deals in the sector, as well as the shifts in the hotel industry. Data expert Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, will look at emerging growth sectors and Meaningful Vision founder Maria Vanifatova will analyse the latest trends in the quick service restaurant market. Propel 500 – 2026 will be released on Friday, 9 January at 9am and will be available free to Premium Club subscribers. The report will be available to non-Premium Club subscribers for £595 plus VAT. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.