Arena’s Savoy Lecture resumes with Compass chief exec

The hospitality networking group Arena is re-launching its annual Savoy Lecture event, which will kick off this year with a talk by Richard Cousins, group chief executive at Compass.

The Savoy Lecture has traditionally been the centrepiece of Arena’s events calendar, but was put on hold for three years during the hotel’s refurbishment.

Following the reopening of the Savoy late last year, Arena is bringing back its event to the hospitality industry’s calendar. This year’s lecture, due to be held on Tuesday 12 April 2011, will feature Richard Cousins, group chief exec at the contract catering firm Compass.

Industry insight

Cousins, who took on his current role at Compass in 2006, helped build the firm’s success in the hospitality sector. Today, Compass operates in 50 countries, employs nearly 400,000 people, has annual revenue of almost £14bn and sits at number 36 in the FTSE100.

Attendees at the Arena event will hear him speak about the company and the industry, including insight into what he believes the future has in store.

Networking

Priced at £265 for non members and £220 for members, tickets to attend the event will also include a three-course dinner and networking opportunity.

The lecture is due to start at 6pm, followed by the drinks reception and dinner.

Arena’s Savoy Lecture will continue on an annual basis, while the temporary Arena Lecture – which had replaced the former event during the Savoy’s closure – will be discontinued.

More information on the event can be obtained from lorraine’at’arena.org