What does it take to pivot from a 20-year global career with Marriott to launching your own hospitality consultancy?

In this episode of The Halo Effect, Ashleigh and Michael Donald are joined by the brilliant Matt Hughes, founder of Accommodate Consulting, for a rich conversation spanning hotel franchising, sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

With experience across asset strategy, global sales, and franchise development, Matt shares the highs and challenges of building a business from scratch – all while training for a marathon. We dig into the evolving franchise landscape, the ROI of ESG, and the very real ways AI is reshaping hotel operations. From navigating owner-brand dynamics to the value of curiosity, community, and cross-disciplinary skills, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Whether you’re a hotel owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or just fascinated by where hospitality is heading, this one’s for you.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

We’re back with Season Three of The Halo Effect, and what better way to return than with an episode that combines luxury hospitality, brand storytelling, and a touch of HBO glamour.

In this episode, Ashleigh and Michael Donald are joined by the brilliant Natasha Eldred , a brand and PR specialist with years of experience working across Thailand’s most iconic hospitality brands. From her time rebranding the stunning Samujana Villas on Koh Samui (yes, that villa from White Lotus Season 3!) to her insider perspective on how storytelling shapes guest experiences, Natasha takes us deep into the heart of Thai hospitality.

We explore the rise of ‘set jetting’, the emotional resonance of authentic marketing, and the challenges (and opportunities) for Thailand as a luxury destination. There’s a candid discussion on how destinations can sustain the “White Lotus Effect” beyond a moment of screen time through meaningful branding, culture-led storytelling, and conscious tourism development.

A must-listen for marketers, hoteliers, brand-builders, and anyone with a soft spot for Thailand, storytelling, or just gorgeous villas and sweeping views.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

In Episode 18 we spoke to Graham Norris and Dean Crews about their journey in hospitality and the recent launch of InnPractice. In this episode, we welcome Dean back to explore the deep impact of mentorship within the hospitality industry. We discuss the realities of supporting people in a high-pressure sector where human connection often makes the difference between staying and walking away.

Dean shares some personal stories – from hard truths in kitchen brigades to unexpected lessons in leadership and empathy. We discuss the changing nature of pastoral care in hospitality, the responsibility of employers to nurture not just skills but wellbeing, and the fine line between mentorship, management, and sponsorship.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.