6 SEPT 2023
THOMAS STROPPEL
DISHOOM
Head of L&D - HR Business Partner
MAUREEN SANDBACH
HONEST BURGERS
People Director
RACHEL MASING
ETM GROUP & MAVEN LEISURE
People Director
HATTIE RENSHAW
SODEXO
Head of Talent, UK&I
Thomas Stroppel is the Head of Learning and Development and HR Business Partner at Dishoom. In his 23 years in Hospitality, he has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and Hawaiian cafes and from Los Angeles to London.
Over his 10 years in Dishoom, he has seen the business grow from 200 to nearly 2,000 team members, helped to open (and re-open during Covid!) all their restaurants, moonlighted in recruitment, and created their Learning and Development program from the ground up. In these projects, he has found that great ideas bring great people to them and spark creativity. This collective body of work has gone on to receive recognition, including the BII National Innovation in Training Awards, British Training Awards, Personnel Today Awards, Caterer Awards, HR in Hospitality Awards, the Springboard Awards and the Sunday Times Best Large Companies to Work For.
A dynamic and strategic HR guru. With a passion for people and a knack for driving success, in the Hospitality sector, with the experience, the skills, and the personality to make a real impact.
Whether its a major event, a corporate contract or a casual dining concept, when it comes to talent acquisition, people development, and employee retention, the aim is always to focus on finding the right people, giving them the chance to grow and develop, and keeping people happy and motivated.
People work for people, so you can share and train skills, but it's the time you spend with them that helps them grow.
Came into hospitality following delicious food and good times… and never left! Obsessed with making people excited about their jobs in the worlds’ best industry. Loves classic cocktails and never goes past steak tartare on the menu.
A little about me...
My time working in Talent spans over 20 years across a variety of industries including hospitality as well as financial services, telecoms, pharmaceutical and consultancy.
I’m here to raise awareness of what we mean at Sodexo when we talk about talent. Talent can mean many things but I believe everyone has talent. We all show it in different ways, at different times and in varying quantities – and that’s ok. It’s part of what makes us all unique.
What am I passionate about?
What gets me out of bed in the morning is my drive to make a difference. I believe everyone has potential and I love working with individuals and teams to unleash that potential and to help them to be the best they can be.
By understanding our strengths I believe we can do what we love every day. I believe in positive psychology and the benefits of being happy running deeper than feeling good, but that happiness is measurable and has an impact on our performance that fuels our success. Each and every one of us has the potential to achieve something truly amazing.
Something about myself?
I’m a Cheshire girl who after university spread her wings by moving to London and was fortunate enough to travel the world with my job. Now happily married with a daughter who exudes kindness I’m back in the north west surrounded by family and everyone I adore. When I’m not being mum I love to get creative and you’ll likely find me designing and handmaking earrings or renovating our home with new interior trends and accessories