About The Hospitality Networking Exchange – Hampshire
The Hospitality Networking Exchange – Hampshire is an exciting new initiative developed in collaboration with South Hampshire College Group, and Food Allergy Aware It aims to bring together hospitality professionals, educators, students, and industry partners from across the region.
Sara Ellul – Business Innovation Manager Digital at South Hampshire College Group (SHCG), stated:
“Hospitality is a vital part of Hampshire’s economy. Through this collaboration, we want to engage directly with employers, give them access to the incredible industry-standard resources SHCG have to offer, upskill the workforce and support with hospitality and catering tech adoption, further future-proofing businesses and attracting young people to them. Promoting the diverse career opportunities in hospitality is key to keeping the industry innovative, vibrant and responsive thereby making it a chosen progression route for students across many disciplines. There are bespoke funding and support packages available from the Further Education Innovation Fund (FEIF) too!
This initiative is designed to raise the profile of hospitality as a vibrant and rewarding career choice, support professional development at all levels, and create a platform for open dialogue around the current challenges and opportunities facing the food service sector.
Our Mission
The Hospitality Networking Exchange – Hampshire was created with a clear set of goals:
Promote hospitality as a rewarding, long-term career path
Educate and inspire at all levels – from students and entry level staff to experienced managers and business owners
Bridge the gap between education and industry by helping educators understand the full scope of hospitality careers and how to better engage their students
Foster best practice in areas such as customer service, allergen management, inclusivity, and sustainability
Encourage collaboration and community among hospitality professionals to share knowledge, identify challenges, and drive innovation
Boost tourism in Hampshire by building a resilient, skilled, and guest-focused workforce
Join Us for Our Inaugural Event – FREE!
We’re kicking off the Exchange with a free hospitality networking event on Wednesday 26 November 2025 sponsored by Blake Morgan LLP, open to anyone Hampshire and surrounding areas working or studying in hospitality, or who provides services to the hospitality sector, or if you are in education and promoting careers.
Click the link for Event Details & Registration
Guest speakers include:
Blake Morgan LLP – offering legal insights into the upcoming changes to zero-hour contracts and what this means for hospitality employers and workers
Caroline Benjamin, founder of Food Allergy Aware – discussing the latest FSA guidance on allergen labelling and the proposed Owen’s Law, and what steps operators can take now to prepare
Elisabeth Bell, Commercial Partner, Blake Morgan stated .
“Bringing businesses and educators together like this is essential to building a stronger, more resilient hospitality workforce in Hampshire.”
Get Involved
We welcome suggestions for guest speakers who can bring valuable insight and encourage ongoing CPD (Continuing Professional Development) across the hospitality sector.
If you would like to sponsor or support future events, please get in touch with:
Caroline Benjamin – caroline@foodallergyaware.co.uk
Sara Ellul – Sara.Ellul@shcg.ac.uk
Together, we can make Hampshire a go-to destination for excellence in hospitality, education, and tourism.
To download the flyer below click here
Stay Connected on LinkedIn
Join the conversation and keep up to date with future events, insights, and opportunities by connecting with us on our Hospitality Networking Exchange – Hampshire LinkedIn Group:
🔗 Join the group here
We encourage you to share your business, your role, and any relevant updates or questions with the community. It’s a space to network, collaborate, and support each other across the hospitality and education sectors in Hampshire and beyond.
Join us for our first event on Wednesday 26 November at the Holiday Inn – Southampton-Eastleigh Click here to book your place – spaces limited don’t delay