Once seen as a back-of-house function, procurement is now playing a central role in shaping hotel operations, sustainability and guest experience. As the Hotel Purchasing Association (HPA) builds a dedicated community for industry professionals, its Founder, Adam Gill shares how the organisation is elevating the profession and driving meaningful change across hospitality.
You founded the Hotel Purchasing Association to bring procurement professionals together. What was the gap in the industry that you felt needed addressing, and what is the HPA’s mission today?
For many years, the hotel industry has had strong representation across most departments, yet there was nothing specifically dedicated to procurement professionals. It was a gap that had been discussed for some time, but the timing never quite aligned to bring something meaningful to life.
A hospitality purchasing group had previously been run successfully for nearly 20 years by Clare Wright. When she retired, it felt like the right moment to revisit the idea. In late 2021, my co-founder Nicola Cross and I began discussing how we could build on that legacy. However, with demanding roles and pre-opening projects, we were conscious of doing it properly rather than rushing.
By the end of 2024, we felt ready. We brought together a group of Purchasing Managers and Directors to understand what the industry needed, and as the committee expanded, with Ruth Duggan and Gyte Mankute joining, the vision became clear.
The Hotel Purchasing Association (HPA) was established as a not-for-profit organisation to create a supportive procurement community across London and beyond. Our mission is to provide a platform where purchasing professionals can connect, share knowledge, discuss challenges and learn from one another.
A key part of our identity is our partnership with The Burnt Chef Project. Mental health remains a significant issue across hospitality, and it was important for us to support an organisation making a tangible difference.
Everything we do is built around four core pillars: networking opportunities, raising awareness, mentoring and support, and representing the procurement profession. Ultimately, our goal is to elevate the profile of procurement and support the people working within it.
With a career in procurement within the hotel sector, you’ve operated at some of the highest levels of luxury hospitality. How have your previous experiences influenced the way you’ve shaped the HPA and its priorities?
I’ve been fortunate to work in some of London’s leading luxury hotels, and those experiences have shaped both my career and my approach to the HPA. Luxury hospitality is built on relationships, trust and consistently high standards – qualities that are just as important in procurement.
From the outset, we were clear that the HPA should be more than just a networking group. We took time to speak with established industry associations to understand what works well and where we could do things differently. That helped define the HPA as a not-for-profit community focused on supporting procurement professionals rather than operating commercially.
Everything we do is driven by a volunteer committee who give their time alongside demanding roles because they care about building a stronger procurement community. There is no financial incentive – just a shared commitment to creating something valuable.
That luxury background also influences the standards we set. We apply the same attention to detail as we would in our day jobs, from selecting venues and sponsors to ensuring events deliver relevant, practical value. Listening to members is key – understanding their challenges ensures everything we do remains useful and engaging.
We’re proud to have already exceeded our first-year membership target, which shows there is a real appetite for a dedicated procurement community. Our focus now is to build on that momentum and continue raising the profile of the profession.
Procurement has evolved significantly in recent years, moving beyond simply managing costs. What role do you believe purchasing teams now play in driving innovation, sustainability and the overall guest experience?
Procurement has changed enormously over the last 20 years. When I first started, the focus was largely on receiving goods and ensuring the right quality, quantity and price. While those fundamentals remain essential, the role has become far more strategic.
Today, procurement is about building relationships across departments, working closely with suppliers and contributing to decisions from the outset. Over time, I’ve gone from implementing brand guidelines to being involved in the early conversations that shape them. Being able to influence concepts, suggest alternative solutions and see those ideas come to life is one of the most rewarding aspects of the role.
On my most recent pre-opening project, I was involved from the very beginning. That allowed me to explore different sourcing routes, bring insight into decision-making and help deliver both operational efficiencies and a stronger guest experience.
Sustainability is another area where procurement plays a key role. Guests are increasingly conscious of where they stay – they want to understand environmental commitments, sourcing practices and the materials used throughout the hotel. Procurement is central to delivering on those expectations by selecting suppliers and products that align with brand values.
Ultimately, procurement is no longer just about buying, it’s about creating value. By supporting innovation, driving sustainability and shaping the guest journey, procurement has become a key contributor to a hotel’s success.
One of the HPA’s aims is to build a stronger community for procurement professionals. What opportunities does membership provide, and why should both experienced buyers and those new to the profession consider getting involved?
Although the HPA is still in its early stages, we’ve had a strong first year and already surpassed our initial membership target. Our focus now is on growing the community and expanding the value we offer.
Membership is open to Purchasing Managers and Directors within the hotel industry, with a simple sign-up process through our website. A small annual fee supports our not-for-profit activities and demonstrates member commitment.
We host four key events each year, bringing together industry experts, sponsors and guest speakers to explore the main challenges and opportunities in hotel procurement. Alongside these, we organise networking events that allow members to build relationships and share ideas in a more informal setting.
We also run a members’ group chat, which has become a valuable space to ask questions, seek advice and share experiences between events. Confidentiality is central, ensuring open and honest discussion.
Whether you’re an experienced Procurement Director or developing your career, the HPA offers a supportive network. One of the most rewarding outcomes has been seeing genuine relationships form, with members continuing to collaborate and support one another.
As this becomes a regular HPA column in Hotel Magazine, what topics and conversations can readers expect over the coming months, and what do you hope they’ll take away from it?
When we first discussed the HPA, having a regular column in a leading publication felt like a long-term ambition. To now be here reflects how far the profession has come. Procurement teams are involved across every part of a hotel’s operation, from supplier relationships and sustainability to innovation and the guest experience, and it’s encouraging to see that contribution gaining recognition.
Through this column, we’ll explore key industry topics, address the challenges and opportunities facing procurement teams, and highlight the work being done across the sector, including by HPA members.
Our hope is that readers gain a clearer understanding of the strategic role procurement plays within hospitality and the value it brings. If the column sparks conversation, encourages collaboration and helps raise the profile of the profession, then it will have achieved exactly what we set out to do.