Associate Consultants

Michal Hicks

Man of the world Michal is a specialist in delivering big brands, developing creative marketing campaigns and is an expert in online marketing techniques. Starting his career in Australia, he managed many of Sydney's premier bars, restaurants and clubs before moving on to direct the marketing of 15 luxury and boutique brands at leading hospitality company Merivale. A productive and inspirational period at Ignite Hospitality saw him deliver major concepts overseeing the marketing team and now works with Ignite on a freelance basis. We call him our 'man on the other side'!

Vic Searl

An expert in operational consultancy, Vic has been travelling the length and breadth of the UK for over two decades - turning struggling pubs, bars and restaurants into thriving businesses. Her skill-set show their true colours when setting up new concepts, where months of meticulous planning see the vision become reality - all in time for launch. Vic's worked extensively with Ignite, delivering excellent concepts that see the entire operation set up and delivered seamlessly. Staff training, operational problems, start-up processes, team building - Vic's our girl that always delivers - on budget and on time.

Adrian Barsby

A highly experienced Company Director and Chairman, Adrian's career demonstrates substantial achievements within the wider business community and leisure sector. He is currently the Managing Director at Barsby Associated Limited and has managed financially successful award winning hotel companies such as Sleepwell Hotels. In addition to this he has chaired Flintshire Tourism Association, North Wales Tourism and represented the tourism sector on the boards of The British Hospitality Association.

Adrian works with Ignite to deliver high caliber projects involving corporate and growth strategy.

Ioannis Pantelidis

Ioannis is a Senior Lecturer in Hospitality at University of Brighton, School of Services Management. He specialises in sustainability in hospitality as well as consumer behaviour in hospitality. Prior to his academic career he worked in five star hotels including Gleneagles in Scotland, Excelsior in Germany and as Reservations Manager for Radisson Edwardian Hotels. A diverse career in hospitality has also seen him open and operate a restaurant in Greece! Ioannis has many published articles and is the co-author of the best selling book, 'Food and Beverage Management'.

Ioannis works with Ignite on high-level projects to deliver sustainable strategies for businesses in hospitality.

Ruth Temple

Ruth Temple has over 25 years experience as a Sales and Marketing professional in the hospitality industry with a proven track record in achieving and exceeding sales targets. She worked within an international hotel chain for many years and subsequently moved to the independent hotel sector, in which she now focuses. Ruth has an in depth knowledge of all markets and has successfully launched and marketed two leading 4 star London hotels. More recently she has run her own consultancy, specialising in sales and marketing audits, advising on revenue management issues and supporting hotels through brand re-positioning and transition.

Peter Anderson

Having established his career in the health industry working with The Four Seasons Hotel Group, Peter, recognised the emerging potential of the spa market and decided to specialise his career in this area. Gaining design, strategic and operational experience along the way in both domestic and international markets, Peter now uses his extensive expertise by sharing it with the clients he now consults to. Whatever your budget or aspirations, Peter's design and consultancy service can take you from concept, right the way through to operation, ensuring your spa/leisure facility is both operationally successful and commercially viable. Peter's guiding principles are belief, integrity, empathy and resilience.

Gareth Tyrell

Coming from a multi-faceted digital background, Gareth has worked on multinational accounts such as Avis, Expedia, Mark Warner and Asda Finance to name a few. Using his knowledge of PPC, Analytics and Display Advertising, he loves to develop both simple and complex, multi-layered strategies for promoting brands online and integrate them into existing advertising and brand campaigns.