Meet the panellists

Philip Addison, human resources director, Accor Hotels UK and Ireland

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Philip joined French-owned Accor Group in 1998 as human resources director for the group's hotels in the UK & Ireland. He has an HR and training background in retail and business services as well as hotels. He is deputy chairman of the Hotel Employers Group and has worked with a number of influential bodies, such as Springboard, the Hotel and Catering Training Company, and the HCIMA, to develop HR and training initiatives within the hospitality industry. Mark Manson, director, Simply Chefs by HOCAPS



After graduating from hotel school in his native Scotland, Mark pursued a life-long ambition and worked in Tokyo. His hotel experience ranges from junior operational roles in country house hotels to general management of red-star hotels. Mark spent six years with the AA and progressed from a hotel inspector to the senior food assessor for the UK. He has also been a Catey Awards judge. After leaving the AA, Mark joined recruitment company HOCAPS as a food and beverage expert. Julian Bradwell, human resources director, Greene King Pub Company



Julian has been with Greene King since March 2000. He previously spent 13 years working in sales at United Biscuits and Heinz. Julian had already decided that he wanted to move into human resources before he was approached by Greene King's managing director. Wendy Bartlett, director, Bartlett Mitchell



Wendy has spent all her working life in contract catering after gaining qualifications at Thames Valley University. A large part of her career was spent in catering at British Airways, where she handled hospitality in VIP lounges and in the Concorde departure lounge. Wendy formed independent contract caterer Bartlett Mitchell in January 2000 with Ian Mitchell. Jane Sunley, managing director, Learnpurple



Following a career within hospitality management, Jane spent a number of years as managing director of a specialist hospitality recruitment company, which she co-founded. She formed Learnpurple, a business that helps companies attract, motivate, develop and retain talented staff, in 2001. Jane is vice-chair of the Hotel & Catering Personnel & Training Association, a forum for the industry's personnel and training specialists. Ian Horrox, human resources director, Conran Restaurants and Retail



Ian started his career with Hilton, joining its graduate development programme. He progressed through the ranks to become a general manager at the age of 25, moving on to become director of brand development and then director of quality. After winning an Acorn Award, he was promoted to UK head of human resources for Hilton International. Ian joined Conran Restaurants in 1999 and in his role as human resources director, he has launched the company's chef apprenticeship programme and chef development programme. Lesley Reynolds, chief executive, Portfolio International

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Established in 1985, Portfolio International is a large recruitment consultancy with expertise in the hotel, catering and leisure industries. Lesley joined the company in February 1991 as an associate director, becoming managing director later that year. She started her career in managerial posts with companies such as Le Meridien, eventually forming her own company LHA, before joining Portfolio. She became chief executive in 2003.