Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Simon Numphud, the dynamic Managing Director of AA Media. Join us as we delve into Simon's fascinating journey through the hospitality industry, from his humble beginnings in catering college to becoming a leading figure in the industry. In this episode, Simon shares candid anecdotes about the less glamorous side of constant travel and dining, the rigours of maintaining fitness, and the humorous misconceptions his children have about his job. We discuss the evolution of the hospitality industry, touch on the significant changes over the years, and reflect on the incredible growth of hotel facilities, food quality, and even English wines. We'll uncover the history and the importance of the AA star-rating system, Simon's transition from a General Manager to a hotel and restaurant inspector, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Additionally, Simon offers insights into the values of trust, integrity, and community in hospitality, as well as the essential role of accreditations in ensuring consumer confidence. Throughout our conversation, we also delve into the personal challenges and triumphs Simon faced, his passion for the industry, and the importance of recognising excellence within this vibrant sector. So sit back, relax, and join us for an enlightening and engaging discussion with Simon Numphud on Hospitality Meets! Enjoy! The Guest Simon has spent his entire career in the hospitality industry, from managing hotels and restaurants through to the last twenty-five years with AA Media. As Managing Director, he is responsible for both AA Hotel and Hospitality services and VisitEngland Assessment services. This includes the various AA and VisitEngland classification and award schemes which in total numbers over 8,000 hospitality businesses. Wider industry involvement includes Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, Fellow of HOSPA, Chair South West Board of Hospitality Action and Ambassador, Room to Reward Ambassador and regular judge for various national hospitality awards. Simon is passionate about mentoring, having been a mentor for Oxford Brookes University hospitality management students, having studied hospitality there himself during his formative years. X - https://twitter.com/AAHospitality The Sponsor Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams. RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app. It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones. Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy