INTERNATIONAL. WiHTL & Diversity in Retail, in partnership with The MBS Group, has unveiled the 2026 Women to Watch in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail Index, spotlighting women making an impact across the industry.
Now in its eighth year, the index, supported by Q5, showcases the diverse roles and career journeys of senior women leaders, while aiming to inspire future generations of women to join, progress and lead across the sectors.
In this edition, the index expands to include luxury alongside hospitality, travel, leisure, retail and technology, reflecting the growing influence of women across all corners of the industry.
Across these sectors, the women featured in the index are leading global brands, scaling innovative concepts, driving rapid technology adoption and redefining customer experiences across markets.
Beyond their commercial and operational achievements, these women are also recognised for their social impact. They are advancing their sectors while demonstrating that modern leadership is defined by vision, resilience and the courage to challenge convention.
The list also reflects a growing global footprint, with nominations spanning several continents and career paths, reinforcing that talent exists everywhere, but visibility and opportunity must be created.
WiHTL & Diversity in Retail Founder and Chair Tea Colaianni MBE said: “While progress is being made, the journey towards gender parity is far from complete. Representation at senior levels remains uneven, and the pace of change is still too slow. That is why platforms like the Women to Watch Index matter.
“By spotlighting exceptional role models, we help shift perceptions of who leads, who shapes strategy and who defines the future of our industries.
“Our hope is that the stories within this year’s Index inspire many more women to step forward with confidence and encourage organisations to continue building environments where talent can rise, thrive and lead.
“The women featured here are not only shaping today’s landscape; they are paving the way for the next generation to follow.”
Among those featured in the index are:
Aimee Corbett – WHSmith Brand and Marketing Director
Alexandra Johnson – Mint Velvet Head of Talent and OD
Alison Zacher – Scott Dunn Global Managing Director
Alexandra Buxton – Fortnum & Mason Chief Culture and Talent Officer
Amelie Robert – Saucony Merchandising Director EMEA
Amelia Lietke – Ann Summers People and Retail Director
Anna Yates – Greene King Divisional Investment Director
Ann Steer – FGH (Freemans Grattan Holdings) CEO
Ashley O’Neill – Hilton Director, Energy and Compliance EMEA
Anneka Vaghela – PizzaExpress Group Director of Financial Control
Anne Blixen-Finecke – Loaf Chief Financial Officer
Caitlin McCombe – Sportsbet General Counsel
Balli Takhar – Ocado Retail People Director
Carla Jones – Whitbread Head of Support Centre People Partnering and Resourcing
Camila Kruger – PizzaExpress Head of Commercial Trading
Carrie Westwell – Bensons for Beds Chief People and Culture Officer
Catarina Nascimento – Monica Vinader Head of Special Projects
Cathy Granby – SSP Group COO UK and Managing Director, Ireland
Cathy Goodwin – Subway Director Culinary and Innovation EMEA
Chloe Friend – P&O Ferries Chief Information Officer IT
Charlotte Thomassen-Kinsey – Pandora HR Director Global Digital and Technology
Clair Wentzel – Burger King Director of IT
Cinzia Bonati – QVC Commercial Finance and Analytics Director
Chloe Brown – Popeyes Louisiana Chicken UK Commercial Director
Daniella Giersch – SSP Group Chief People Officer UK & Ireland
Colleen Conkling – Monica Vinader Senior VP Brand
Donna Maria Lee – Greencore Chief People Officer
Davnet Reid – Flutter Entertainment Managing Director Sky Betting and Gaming
Elaine Wrigley – American Golf Retail, Operations and People Director
Ebru Ertem – iQ Student Accommodation Director of Assurance
Elise Paroche – Belmond SVP Finance
Eleonora Ferrarese – Wolverine Worldwide Sales Director Saucony
Emma Deabill – The Wonderfield Group President and CEO
Emma Quinn – Sainsbury’s Director of Channel Operations
Emma Vargas Brock – Domino’s Director of Learning and Talent Management
Emma Fox – Berry Bros. & Rudd CEO
Francesca Tiritiello – Tortilla Mexican Grill Board Advisor Former Non-Executive Director and Chair of Remuneration Committee
Emma Sherwood-Smith – Honest Burgers Chief Commercial Officer
Gillian Rafferty – Hilton Director Order to Cash/Banking
Geri Hebberd – Asda Senior Director Strategy, Planning and Execution
Hannah Harvey – Flutter Entertainment Product Director Transformation
Hannah Harrison – The Coaching Inn Group Commercial Director
Heidi Coppin – De Beers Group SVP People Partnering Brands and Diamond Desirability and Corporate Functions
Hannah Williams – Burger & Lobster Restaurant Group Global Marketing Director
Jeanette Chen – Legoland Shanghai Resort General Manager
Helen Adams – Carnival UK (P&O Cruises & Cunard) Chief Financial Officer
Helen Cannon – ISON Group Founder and CEO
Jennifer Lawrence – Cardfactory Chief People and Transformation Officer
Jeanette Lenski – QVC Group Director Merchandising and New Business
Jodie Keating – Wm Morrison Supermarket Group People Director
Joanne Shields – Coty HR Director UK and Ireland
Jody Bennett – Brewhouse & Kitchen People and Operations Director
Jodie Addison – Sainsbury’s Director of Engineering
Judith Haker – QVC International Director Platform Development and TV Distribution
Joy Donnelly – American Express Global Business Travel Senior Manager Planning and Development
Kate Lavery – Wm Morrison Supermarket Loyalty Director
Katherine Harper – Greene King Director of Sustainability
Julie Chapman – Connells Group Digital Technology Officer
Katrien Beuls – ISS A/S Special Projects Counsel M&A Board Member
Katie Evans – Burger King UK Chief Marketing Officer
Kelly Wright – Christie & Co Director of People and Development
Katy Brown – Popeyes UK Head of Marketing
Kristin Sutton – Molson Coors Beverage Company Communications and Corporate Affairs Director UK and Ireland
Kiran Quinn – RedCat Independent Pubs Group Marketing Director
Laila Abdin-Winter – Warner Hotels Brand and Communications Director
Kirsty Glenne – Antler CEO
Lisa Fitzell – Audley Travel Chief Product and Operations Officer
Leanne Charles – Travel + Leisure Co. Vice President Finance and Group Financial Controller
Leanne Oddy – Ann Summers Digital and International Lead
Lizzy Massey – Wm Morrison Supermarket Own Brand Director
Lisa Tremble – British Airways Chief Customer and People Officer
Louise Rix – DFS Group Chief Retail Officer
Louisa Bell – P&O Ferries Chief Commercial Officer Passenger
Melanie Gration – Sportsbet GM Fin Crime Oversight and AML Compliance Officer
Margot Slattery – ISS A/S Global Head of Social Sustainability and Inclusion
Michelle Smith – Scott Dunn Technology Project Manager
Meliha von Brandt – Veronica De Piante Chief Marketing Officer
Michelle Wilkinson – PVH EVP People PVH EMEA and Tommy Hilfiger Global PVH Europe
Michelle Farrell – Boxpark Chief Growth Officer
Natalie Rogers – N Brown Group COO
Natalia Tatar – Fuller, Smith & Turner Group Sales and Events Manager
Momina Shahid – WHSmith Strategy Director
Philippa Bolton-Hadfield – Moto Hospitality Head of Sustainability
Nic Becker – Molson Coors Beverage Company Reward Director
Priya Matadeen – Mulberry England Brand Director
Polly Jones – Odeon Cinemas Group Head of Digital
Rachel Wilkinson – The Estée Lauder Companies VP People Experience EMEA and UK
Roisin Hogan – Flutter Entertainment Managing Director of Product & Commercial Content
Rebecca Saunders – Royal Ballet and Opera Chief Transformation Officer
Sabah Naqushbandi – The Outnet Managing Director
Rona Kelly – The Gym Group Head of Estates
Sarah Wise – Travel + Leisure Co. Director Sales Operations Administration South Pacific
Samantha Pelmuși – Merlin Entertainments Global Head of Technology Adoption
Sarah Lake – Loungers Chief Marketing Officer
Sarah Ashby – Mamas & Papas COO
Sharon Donaldson – Connells Group North Managing Director
Sarah-May Brown – Alex-Begg Group Chief Commercial Officer
Siobhan Carr – Odeon Cinemas Group Head of Talent and Inclusion
Siobhan Martin – Moto Hospitality Finance Director
Stefanie Poloni – Sportsbet General Manager Risk and Compliance
Sophie Ottaway – Scott Dunn Head of People and Culture
Suzanne Kirk – Sainsbury’s Director of Facilities Management
Stephanie George Johnson – Legoland New York Resort VP Operations
Steph Hedger – Domino’s Director of Property Development
Tatiana Lorenzzoni – Sweaty Betty Head of Digital
Tamima Choudhury – Moto Hospitality Business Systems Manager
Vicky Brys – Watches of Switzerland Group Head of Retail Goldsmiths
Tracy Gehlan – Subway President EMEA
Rasila Vaghjiani – ASOS EVP People and Communications
Alexandra Kent – Monica Vinader Group Finance Director ✈
