Opening Doors: Why Boardwalk Could Be a Game-Changer for Women in Hospitality Leadership
The hospitality industry is known for its dynamism, creativity, and customer focus - but when it comes to gender representation at the top, the sector has long fallen short. Despite women making up a significant portion of the hospitality workforce, leadership roles - especially at board level - remain male-dominated.
That’s why the launch of Boardwalk, a new mentoring programme created to support women into board-level roles, is such a milestone.
What Is Boardwalk?
Founded by Wahaca co-founder Mark Selby and Lynne Parker, CEO of Funny Women, Boardwalk is a structured mentoring initiative designed to bridge the gap between ambition and opportunity for women in hospitality.
Over the course of 10 tailored mentoring sessions, participants will be paired with senior industry leaders - CEOs and board-level figures from brands like Wagamama, Pret, and Pizza Express. The goal? To have 60% of participants appointed to a board role within three years.
In addition to mentoring, participants benefit from masterclasses, networking events, and peer support groups - ensuring they not only gain insights, but build the visibility and confidence required to step into top-tier leadership roles.
Why This Matters
The impact of Boardwalk could be transformational for the industry as a whole. Here's why:
1. Representation Drives Results
Studies consistently show that companies with diverse leadership perform better - financially and culturally. Yet systemic barriers, from lack of sponsorship to unconscious bias, continue to hold women back from board-level progression.
2. Mentorship Is Not Enough - Sponsorship Is Key
Boardwalk rightly emphasises the importance of sponsorship, not just mentorship. While mentors provide guidance, sponsors are advocates who create real opportunities - nominating women for roles, championing them behind closed doors, and helping them build powerful networks.
3. Hospitality Needs Female Voices at the Top
The post-pandemic hospitality landscape is evolving rapidly - with a greater focus on wellbeing, flexible working, and community values. Women bring unique leadership styles that align with these priorities, making their inclusion not only fair but essential for growth.
The Road Ahead
The success of Boardwalk will be measured not just in board appointments, but in how the industry as a whole embraces change. Creating space for more women at the top isn’t about box-ticking - it’s about unlocking the full potential of a workforce that has long been undervalued at senior levels.
As hospitality businesses reflect on their leadership pipelines, Boardwalk offers both inspiration and a model for action: a clear pathway from talent to the top.
Where Selective Personnel Fits In
At Selective Personnel, we’re passionate about creating inclusive career pathways across the hospitality sector. While we focus on day-to-day staffing and placements, we also keep an eye on long-term progression - placing talent in roles where they can grow, lead, and eventually shape the industry from the top.
Initiatives like Boardwalk reinforce the importance of looking beyond the CV and seeing leadership potential in every placement.