Nightcap leader to star at MCA Pub Conference
She will discuss growing the platform into a £60m turnover business in just two years, a plan described as “barking mad”.
Willingham scooped a double victory at The Publican Awards earlier this year when Nightcap won Best Late Night Operator and she took home the Business Leader of the Year title.
The full agenda for MCA’s Pub Conference has been unveiled for the conference, which takes place on 20 June at the HAC in London, with a full day of presentations, panels, and exclusive insights from business leaders across the pub and bar sector.
Highlights include ‘The Three Chairmen’ fireside chat with Mitchells & Butlers chairman Bob Ivell, Stonegate chairman and founder Ian Payne MBE, and JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin, who have a combined experience of more than 130 years in the sector,
The City Pub Company’s Clive Watson, Revolution Bars Group’s Rob Pitcher, and Heartwood Collection’s – formerly Brasserie Bar Co – Richard Ferrier will discuss the future of financing in the pub sector, along with valuations, debt markets, and M&A activity.
Top Marks
Late night group Rekom UK’s chairman Peter Marks will give a presentation with insights into nightlife trends and diversifying the brand portfolio.
Nathan Nalla, founder of Be the Riot – an organisation offering inclusion-focused workshops and consultancy services – will speak on the advancement of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the pub sector.
Sapient Corporate Finance founding partner Peter Hansen will present on the investor landscape, exploring the impact of the wider economic climate on investment into the pub industry.
A panel session will discuss new operating models and pub partnerships with Punch Pubs & Co CEO Clive Chesser, Star Pubs & Bars MD Lawson Mountstevens, and Admiral Taverns CEO Chris Jowsey.
Consumer trends surrounding authenticity and locally sourced products will be the highlight for a drinks focus panel, featuring BrewDog, Robinsons, Beerbelle, and Greene King.
Packed panels
Oakman Group CEO Peter Borg-Neal will discuss the near-term outlook for the 40-strong premium group, as well as outlining opportunities and challenges in the wider sector.
Laine Pub Company, The Alchemist, Inception Group, and Darwin & Wallace will feature on a panel exploring how venues enhance the customer experience.
Highlights from Lumina Intelligence’s latest Pub Market Report will be presented by insight director Blonnie Whist, setting out the latest consumer, menu and operator trends driving growth.
The Specialists panel will feature the unique and inventive concepts The Little & Large Pub Company, Piano Works, and Lunar Pub Company.
To book tickets, click here.
