‘Never assume you are an expert’: Fazenda’s Tomas Maunier on why you shouldn’t over-simplify mental health

Have you explored professional support, such as employee assistance programmes or external wellbeing partners, to provide your teams with safe and confidential outlets?

Yes, we have explored different options over the years, but we always go back to Hospitality Action because of the quality and consistency of the support they provide. They understand our industry, are trusted by our teams, and offer a safe outlet that really makes a difference. 

What advice would you give to other managing directors or restaurant leaders who want to prioritise staff wellbeing without losing focus on operational performance?

If you don’t prioritise staff wellbeing, you will never achieve strong operational performance – it really is that simple. My advice is to start by talking openly with your team, asking questions and really listening to what they need.  At the same time, never assume you are an expert. The best piece of advice is to bring in experts who can provide the right support and guidance, so your team gets exactly what will help them to thrive.   

Can you share a moment in your career when either you or a colleague benefited from seeking help, and how that shaped your approach to leadership?

Like many, I found Covid and the period that followed extremely challenging. I didn’t get professional help at that point, but I leaned heavily on my family and friends from Argentina. Having people who were outside the epicentre of the challenges gave me fresh perspectives and helped me cope. That experience reinforces for me how important it is to have safe spaces and different viewpoints, and I encourage my team to talk openly, seek support and not feel they have to carry challenges alone.

 
What more could the wider hospitality sector do to reduce the stigma around mental health and create a culture of openness?

Stigma is difficult to tackle because it is often rooted in fear, ignorance and social history, and usually comes from emotional and social responses. The best way to reduce it is through education, normalisation and sharing real stories, so people feel safe to talk and know they are not alone.

At the same time, I think we have to be careful with how we use language and terminology. If every challenge or negative feeling is immediately labelled as a mental health issue, we risk alienating both those who need support and those who are meant to provide it. 

What really matters is creating space where openness and vulnerability are welcomed, without over-labelling. The focus should be on listening, sharing and supporting – not on putting people into boxes. 

Join Walk for Wellbeing

Hospitality Action has created Walk for Wellbeing, where anyone in hospitality is encouraged to walk any distance, in any location, at any time from 10 October (World Mental Health Day) to 26 October 2025, to raise funds for the charity.

Walk for Wellbeing promotes the importance of wellbeing in hospitality and generates vital funds for Hospitality Action. Since 2020, the event has involved thousands of hospitality people across the UK and raised more than £340,000.

For workplace teams, the event also provides a chance to develop teamwork skills, build stronger workplace relationships and promote an inclusive, collaborative culture as part of a wellbeing and CSR strategy.

Hospitality Action has organised a 20km walk in London on 19 October, hosted by recruitment consultancy mum, which starts and finishes at Battersea Park, or you can create your own walk.