Siemens Strengthens Fire Safety Products Team
Siemens has made new appointments within its fire safety products sales team, creating an even stronger sales base to develop the market and support its partner companies in promoting the Cerberus PRO IOT-enabled fire detection system.
Ryan Taylor moves across from another Siemens division where he worked with end-users, from design and supply through to commissioning of fire safety systems. This included the Building X digital building platform. He brings more than 20 years’ experience in the fire industry to his new role as Regional Sales Manager (RSM), Fire, Midlands & West.
John Dunbar has been working for Siemens for some six years on the Comfort side of the business. In his new role he will now also be responsible for Fire products in Scotland and the North East. He has extensive experience in project sales and management including positions in building services management.
Taking on responsibility for the North of England is Mark Beaumont. Having worked for Siemens for over 20 years, his most recent position saw him in a business development role across the Siemens portfolio, including building management systems, power and fire. In his new position as RSM, he will focus solely on fire systems, from detection and alarm to extinguishing and evacuation.
Mark Gutteridge is the Area Sales Manager for Fire and Comfort for the South. He has been in his new role for some six months, having previously been Siemens Solutions Partner Manager for the UK and Ireland for the company’s digital industries business. He continues to adopt the solutions-orientated philosophy of Siemens in providing safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient buildings.
Completing the line-up is Marios Malone as RSM for fire in the South. He has more than 20 years of experience in the fire safety industry, three of which have been with Siemens. Since October 2022 he has been working with Siemens partners to offer intelligent systems which are realising the potential afforded by cloud-based solutions.
Commenting on the additions to the team, Robert Yates, Head of Building Products Fire Safety in the UK, said - “It is a very exciting time for the business with the use of digitalisation in our offering. It was important for us to have a strong team in place to support our partners and to maximise the opportunities this presents in the market. We have recruited from within Siemens, drawing not only on the understanding of how the company operates but also from those who have direct experience of working within the fire safety arena.”
For further information on Siemens Fire Products
For further information on Siemens Smart Infrastructure, please see
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Mews Makes Single Sign-On Free for all Customers Amid Rising Cyber Threats
Hotels gain centralized identity control and stronger protection at no extra cost
Mews, the operating system for hospitality, has announced that Single Sign-On (SSO) is now available at no additional charge to all customers. The move removes barriers to enterprise-grade security at a time when the average global cost of a data breach reached $4.4 million in 2025, according to IBM¹ – a critical risk for businesses handling guest and payment data.
While SSO is widely recognized as a security best practice, many software providers still restrict it to premium enterprise tiers. By making SSO free for all PMS customers, Mews is removing a common paywall that has historically limited access to stronger identity protection.
Hotels face unique security pressures: high staff turnover, shared workstations and distributed teams, all while managing sensitive guest and payment information. These dynamics increase exposure to phishing and credential-based attacks.
Across industries, compromised credentials remain one of the most common entry points for data breaches. A 2025 industry review found that 94% of data breaches involve compromised credentials, and that implementing SSO can reduce security incidents by up to 50% while cutting help-desk costs and improving productivity².
SSO allows staff to securely access multiple systems using one individual, centrally managed login. By making SSO available to all PMS customers, Mews enables hotels of every size to strengthen identity controls without increasing operational complexity.
Key benefits for Mews customers:
Stronger security, lower risk: Corporate identity providers replace shared passwords and vulnerable multi-factor authentication. Hotels can centrally enforce access policies, enable modern authentication methods such as passkeys or hardware security keys, and instantly revoke access when staff leave.
Simpler access for staff: One secure login across applications reduces password resets, minimizes MFA fatigue, and streamlines daily workflows.
Centralized, future-ready control: SSO supports audit and compliance requirements while allowing hotels to adopt evolving authentication standards as they become available.
To date, no Mews customers using SSO have experienced a phishing-related account takeover.
“Hospitality is built on trust,” said Ryan Tomlinson, VP of Product and Engineering at Mews. “Guests expect their personal and payment information to be handled securely. Making SSO available to all customers ensures modern identity protection is accessible to every property, without adding financial or operational strain.”
“This rollout strengthens our security posture while simplifying daily access for staff,” said Dávid Palojtay, Managing Director of Avenue Hostel. “Single Sign-On works perfectly for us – it improves both security and convenience, and it’s great to see Mews making this feature available to all customers.”
Single Sign-On is now available for all Mews PMS customers, with streamlined onboarding to accelerate adoptions. Mews continues to invest in identity and access management capabilities to support secure, scalable hospitality operations. For organizations that are unable to implement SSO, passkeys offer a best-in-class authentication alternative.
For more information about enabling Single Sign-On, visit: https://help.mews.com/s/article/Single-Sign-on-FAQ?language=en_US
Bidfresh Redefines its Sustainability Framework With the Launch of a New Vision and Mission in its Latest Sustainability Report
Specialist fresh produce supplier, Bidfresh, has released its latest ‘Growing Greener’ sustainability report, unveiling a refreshed sustainability framework and a new mission and vision that will guide the business towards a more responsible and resilient future.
As sustainability expectations continue to rise across the industry, and 16% of consumers think that suppliers are responsible for ensuring eating out of home is sustainable[1], Bidfresh has provided its customers, teams and partners with clear, evidence-based insight into how it’s addressing environmental and social challenges across the supply chain.
Taking a more proactive approach, ‘Growing Greener’ showcases progress across Bidfresh’s three specialist brands, Direct Seafoods (fish and seafood), Campbell Brothers (meat and poultry) and R Noone & Sons (fresh produce), and its new vision: Caring for people, committed to responsible sourcing and delivering the best in foodservice.
Bidfresh is also developing its own Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) strategy and has taken an important step with the introduction of its first ‘Plan on a Page’, providing a clear and structured foundation to embed its ESG priorities across the business.
Through this framework, Bidfresh aims to reduce its environmental impact, support resilient UK farming and fishing communities, uphold ethical governance, and include transparent and traceable sourcing across all operations, setting a clear path to 2030 and beyond.
Key highlights include:
- The introduction of an ‘Inclusion at Work’ and ‘Workplace Behaviour’ standard
- Retaining the ASC and MSC Chain of Custody certification for all the seafood trading sites
- Achieving a ‘Bronze’ medal by the EcoVadis sustainability assessment platform.
Valeria Potsinok, Sustainability Manager at Bidfresh, said: “Now in the second year of reporting, I’m so proud of the progress we’ve made, from advancing responsible sourcing and animal welfare to reducing waste and strengthening community initiatives across our regional sites. ‘Growing Greener’ will enable closer collaboration with our customers, helping them make informed menu and supplier decisions, while supporting their own ESG reporting.
“This year’s report also sheds light on our expanded training on Health & Safety and Diversity, Equality, Inclusion & Belonging, and our new route planning to reduce last-mile emissions.
“Yet, we know this journey is ongoing, and there is much more to do. Guided by our new vision: caring for people, committed to responsible sourcing and delivering the best in foodservice, we remain focused on building a fairer, more responsible and sustainable future for our people, customers, partners and the planet.”
Click here to read the latest ‘Growing Greener’ report: viewer.ipaper.io/bidcorp/bidfresh/growing-greener-bidfresh-sustainability-report-2025/?page=1
[1] CGA by NIQ x Bidfood State of the Nation - Food Feb 2025
Mollie's Submits Plans for New Edinburgh Site
VALUE-LUXE HOTEL AND DINER BRAND TO PROVIDE MAJOR INVESTMENT BOOST FOR EDINBURGH PARK AS IT SETS TO OPEN FIRST PROPERTY IN SCOTLAND
Mollie’s, the value-luxe hotel and diner brand (mollies.com), has taken the next step in its UK expansion, submitting a planning application to City of Edinburgh Council. The application includes detailed plans for a fourth Mollie’s site at one of the UK’s premier business parks and one of Edinburgh’s major growth locations, Edinburgh Park.
Following the success of its three existing properties, Mollie’s feels the time is now right to make its first investment in Scotland, setting its sights on 0.63 hectares at the southern edge of Edinburgh Park - a location chosen for its strong visitor demand and high-quality environment. The significant investment will provide Edinburgh with a new, luxury accommodation offering outside of the city centre, whilst also providing easy access to road networks, the city centre, the airport and more. The hotel and diner brand will work with a range of consultants on the project including 3D Reid Architects, Lichfields Planning Consultants and Amicus Property Consultants.
The proposal, which was subject to public consultation earlier this year, incorporates 207 high-quality guest bedrooms, a lobby, reception and lounge area, a diner and bar with an outdoor terrace, ancillary facilities, car parking spaces with EV charging infrastructure and more. The venue will also follow the same strict sustainability practices as Mollie’s other properties, in line with the brand’s B-Corp Certification which was achieved in October last year.
The proposed development will deliver significant economic benefits for the local community. In particular, the addition of 455 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs and an economic value of £38.6 million added (GVA) per annum just throughout the construction phase. Post-build, Mollie’s Edinburgh site is expected to bring 69 new FTE jobs, c.£3.3 million of direct GVA per annum and an uplift of 120,888 visitor nights per annum.
As Edinburgh Park continues to advance and grow, with the opening of the new 8,500 capacity AEG Arena earmarked for 2028, Mollie’s hopes the addition of new, quality accommodation will help support in achieving the wider vision for the local area and beyond.
Matt Bell, Managing Director at Mollie’s, commented:
“Edinburgh is a dynamic and vibrant year-round tourism destination, and the perfect choice for our first investment in Scotland. The city has so much to offer, both in the centre and out, and Edinburgh Park is just one example of that, particularly with planned investments such as the AEG Arena.
We’ve worked hard to ensure that the submitted proposals are closely aligned with the council’s ambitions for the area to become the go-to destination for visitors outside the traditional city-centre hotspots. We’re confident the value-luxe, people-first approach of Mollie’s will integrate seamlessly with the wider Edinburgh Park vision, and we couldn’t be more excited to service existing and new users of the area and the wider community.”
Commenting on behalf of Edinburgh Park, Tony Hordon, Managing Director of Parabola said,
“We’re pleased we can continue to attract quality brands like Mollie’s to Edinburgh Park and are very confident that it will positively support the areas ongoing development and progress. The area investment is all about encouraging guests to experience a new destination, enjoying an increasingly vibrant community comprised of new homes and offices, an unrivalled music arena and now an upscale hotel. Placemaking has been central to our vision for Edinburgh Park and it’s investments like this that will help us deliver that vision.”
Sehgal Family Acquires Crowne Plaza London Ealing, Expanding London Hotel Portfolio
The Sehgal family, through Rivalminster Ltd, has completed the acquisition of Crowne Plaza London Ealing, further strengthening its long-standing presence in the London hospitality market.
The 139-bedroom InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) franchised hotel is located on the Hanger Lane Gyratory in Ealing, and features a 120-cover restaurant and bar, gym, and extensive meeting and conference facilities, serving both corporate and leisure demand. The property benefits from strong visibility and excellent transport connectivity, sitting adjacent to Hanger Lane Underground station, with swift access to central London and close proximity to Wembley Stadium and key West London commercial hubs.
The acquisition marks the latest chapter for Rivalminster Ltd, a third-generation, family-run hospitality business with a long-standing track record of owning and operating hotel assets in London. The company was founded by Hira Sehgal, who remains involved in key strategic decisions. The business is led today by directors Paul Sehgal and Saachi Sehgal, with Sienna Sehgal also playing a significant role.
The family has previously owned the Holiday Inn London Oxford Circus for nearly 40 years, and currently owns The Leonard Hotel, London, which has been under Rivalminster ownership for 22-years, and currently undergoing a phased refurbishment programme. The acquisition of Crowne Plaza London Ealing was led by Saachi Sehgal, who previously worked at real estate investment bank Eastdil Secured.
The transaction represents a full-circle moment for the business, with the hotel acquired from Westmont Hospitality, which had previously purchased the Holiday Inn London Oxford Circus from Rivalminster.
Looking ahead, Rivalminster plans to invest in the property, with a focus on modernisation, operational improvements, and strengthening the hotel’s positioning within the West London market, while continuing the IHG franchise.
Commenting on the acquisition, Saachi Sehgal, Director at Rivalminster Ltd, said:
“Crowne Plaza Ealing is excellently located close to major transport links and local developments, benefitting from high visibility on the busy Hanger Lane roundabout. We plan to enhance the offering through operational improvements and modernisation in order to strengthen its position in the West London market. Crowne Plaza is a well-established brand and we are extremely pleased to be partnering with IHG again.”
The acquisition underlines Rivalminster’s continued confidence in well-located London hotel assets and marks a further step in its long-standing relationship with IHG Hotels & Resorts.
How Hotels Are Managing Staff Turnover Rates
The hotel industry has one of the highest turnover rates of any industry, so it’s essential that hotel managers do everything in their power to maintain a positive working environment to improve retention rates. Not only does this keep staff morale high, but it also reduces costs and keeps workflows running smoothly.
So with that in mind, here are just a few things hotels are doing to manage high turnover rates.
Clear Career Progression Plans
One of the most important aspects of any job is the opportunity to progress. Without clear progression, it’s unlikely that people will stay motivated to perform or want to work towards long-term careers with their company - and the hotel industry is no exception to this.
To address this, hotel managers are establishing clear development pathways for all employees. These include defined goals and expectations, realistic timeframes, and transparent criteria outlining what is required to progress to the next level.
Recognition and Reward
If you don’t recognise and reward the hard work of employees, it’s likely that they will feel unappreciated, which may cause them to look elsewhere.
To prevent this, hotels are making sure their staff feel appreciated for their hard work. Whether this be through a simple thank you email, organising staff activities, or by setting up rewards such as bonuses, all of which help improve motivation levels and make employees feel valued within the company.
Feedback and Communication
Hotels are working hard to ensure staff feel comfortable and are given the opportunity to voice concerns or offer valuable feedback as to how the company can improve.
In addition, superiors are regularly conducting one-to-ones so staff are kept in the loop about everything. Whether it’s switching facilities management suppliers, changing the criteria for bonuses, modifying a workflow, or anything in between, employees benefit from staying informed at all times.
Wellbeing Support
It’s not just about how employees feel at work. When a staff member is struggling with their mental or physical health, it can impact their ability to work. Because of this, hotels are providing staff members with access to mental health support like counselling, as well as offering benefits like discounted or free health care and financial support to reduce the stresses of daily life.
What Will You Do to Keep Your Turnover Rates Low?
From putting clear pathways for progression in place to providing essential wellbeing support, hotel managers are working tirelessly to improve retention rates within the hotel industry.
Maisons Pariente to Open Hôtel Saint Roch in Courchevel for Winter 2026
Next winter, Maisons Pariente will unveil its second address in the Three Valleys: Hôtel Saint Roch in Courchevel 1850. In the heart of the world’s most sought-after ski area, Hôtel Saint Roch is entering a new chapter. A storied landmark on the Bellecote piste, it’s being transformed into an elegant retreat where boldness meets true craftsmanship.
As with every Maisons Pariente property, the smallest detail is shaped with taste, sensitivity and a quiet sense of generosity by sisters Leslie Kouhana and Kimberley Cohen. Their shared artistic vision is rooted in childhood memories and family holidays, just steps away from Yves Saint Laurent’s famous datcha. A snowy gem, Saint Roch becomes a new emblem of a more soulful style of hospitality, far from anything standardised, where artisanal skill leaves its mark on every line and texture. The Friedmann & Versace design studio has been entrusted with the interiors, weaving together a narrative that doesn’t just pause time, but teaches you to savour it.
With 37 rooms and suites, a Tata Harper spa with pool, a fitness room, a kids’ club, a restaurant, a ski shop, Saint Roch already has all the makings of that Courchevel hotel you fall for and return to, year after year, with the whole family. Set in the Jardin Alpin, just a short stroll from the centre of 1850, this hideaway invites guests to create memories that cling like snowflakes. Between haute-couture flair, thoughtful spaces for all ages, luxury houses and a gentle way of life, Courchevel continues to charm irresistibly.
The Shepherd Mayfair Appoints The Public Platform as Global Communications & Social Media Agency
The Shepherd Mayfair, one of London’s most anticipated new boutique hotels, has appointed The Public Platform as its global communications agency ahead of the hotel’s opening within Mayfair in 2026. The appointment covers all international public relations, strategic communications, partnerships and social media activity.
Located in the historic Shepherd Market, The Shepherd Mayfair will bring a new standard of hospitality to one of the capital’s most storied enclaves. With 82 carefully considered rooms and suites, the property will feature Fayre, a modern all-day dining destination; The Lounge, a café-style space offering artisan coffee and light bites; and Teddy’s, a darkly atmospheric hidden cocktail bar set to become a late-night hotspot.
Shepherd Market remains one of London’s most characterful locations with independent boutiques, real neighbourhood rhythm and an unmistakable sense of place. As the only hotel set directly within Shepherd Market and positioned at its gateway, The Shepherd Mayfair carries authentic local credentials and promises a rare blend of privacy, heritage and contemporary energy in one of London’s most sought-after neighbourhoods.
The Public Platform, a London-based consultancy founded by luxury communications experts Alessandro Ferrara and Calum Donoghue, is known for its strategy-first approach to modern communications. The agency will lead all global communications for the hotel, working closely with the in-house team to ensure a standout launch and long-term brand positioning. This includes articulating The Shepherd Mayfair’s core point of view: a neighbourhood-first hotel shaped by cultural sensitivity, quiet luxury and enduring craft.
Designed by Timothy Shepherd, during his previous role as Managing Director at Buckley Gray Yeoman ID. Shepherd&, founded by Timothy Shepherd and three others, has continued the client relationship with Bain Capital and Orka Investments. The Shepherd Mayfair, Hotel reinterprets the original ‘Mansions of Mayfair’ through a contemporary, narrative-led approach. Its interiors are layered with character and texture, offering a deeply personal experience that honours the elegance of the past while embracing a quietly modern sensibility. With a curated collection of artworks, including pieces by George McLeod and Jack English, and a design ethos rooted in British craft, the hotel has been shaped as a collector’s retreat, where taste, curiosity and understated sophistication meet. Every detail is intentionally considered, from the art that animates each space to the service touchpoints and the natural shift in atmosphere from morning coffee to late-night cocktails.
Opening to guests in 2026, The Shepherd Mayfair will offer a discreet and design-forward escape in one of London’s most exclusive postcodes. For media enquiries, please contact theshepherdmayfair@thepublicplatform.com.
theshepherdmayfair.com | @theshepherdmayfair | thepublicplatform.com | @thepublicplatform
RBH Hospitality Strengthens Relationship with Accor through New Ibis Signing
Leading UK management company, RBH Hospitality Management has been appointed to operate Ibis Edinburgh Centre Royal Mile, further expanding its long-term relationship with Accor and strengthening its presence in the Scottish capital. The hotel also marks the start of a new partnership with hotel investor Legal & General.
The new signing signals a strong start to 2026 for RBH, as the company continues to grow its portfolio and make progress against its vision of being the partner of choice for hospitality investors.
Ibis Edinburgh Centre Royal Mile is located in the heart of the city, on the Royal Mile and offers 99 hotel rooms across a variety of accommodation types, as well as an on-site bar & restaurant.
The hotel marks RBH’s sixth property in the Ibis brand family, with three Ibis and three Ibis Styles properties now in the RBH portfolio. It also builds on RBH’s footprint in Edinburgh following The Edinburgh Grand, a Luxury Collection, Edinburgh; Old Town Chambers Autograph Collection and Abbey Strand Apartments joining RBH’s Edinburgh portfolio in July 2025.
David Hart, CEO of RBH said: “This signing underscores the strong momentum in our business as we enter 2026. Adding this property to our portfolio not only reinforces our strategic expansion in key UK locations but also deepens our long-term and successful partnership with Accor.”
Bidfood Announces Martin Eshelby as its First Culinary Director
Bidfood is delighted to announce the promotion of its long-standing and highly regarded Food Innovation Manager, Martin Eshelby, to the role of Culinary Director. This appointment recognises Martin’s many years of dedicated hard work and reflects Bidfood’s continued commitment to culinary excellence, innovation, and leadership within the foodservice industry.
For more than ten years, Martin has been a driving force behind Bidfood’s menu innovation, chef-to-chef support, and sector-specific culinary solutions. His creative ideas, expertise and industry insight have helped shape Bidfood’s approach to food innovation. From recipe development and award judging to customer development days, Martin has always ensured customers benefit from industry-leading food insights and practical expertise.
As Culinary Director, Martin will play a key role in shaping and overseeing Bidfood’s culinary vision. Drawing on his extensive experience, he will showcase the business’s strong food credentials, whilst continuing to work closely with manufacturing brands, leading new product innovation, and supporting the development of Bidfood’s annual food and drink trends.
Nicola Holden, Sales Director at Bidfood said: “Martin’s passion, creativity, and deep understanding of our customers’ evolving challenges make him the ideal person to lead our culinary direction.
“During his time at Bidfood, Martin has demonstrated that he is among the best in the industry, seamlessly bridging his creative flair for food together with the needs of our customers. We’re excited to see how he will continue to innovate, inspire our teams, and help shape the future of foodservice.”
Commenting on his appointment, Martin said: “I’m incredibly excited to take on this new challenge. Bidfood has always been passionate about championing great food, and I’m looking forward to shaping the future of our culinary offering while continuing to support our customers.”
This promotion marks a significant step for Bidfood as the company continues to strengthen its culinary expertise and reinforce its position as a market leader in foodservice solutions.