Independent hospitality businesses now have access to a wider range of specialist support as SAVVY Collective launches a new brand identity and enhanced business model. Bringing together operational expertise, strategic consultancy, education, events and investment, the collective is positioning itself as a long-term partner for owner-led hotels, leisure businesses and lifestyle destinations that want to grow while retaining their individual identity.
The business was founded by award-winning hotelier Steven Hesketh, whose experience operating independent hotels has shaped every aspect of the collective. Rather than offering advice based on theory, SAVVY focuses on practical solutions developed through years of managing hospitality businesses first hand.
“We want SAVVY Collective to become the trusted choice for owners who need support without sacrificing what makes their business unique,” said Hesketh. “The best partnerships are built on practical support, shared ambition and genuine collaboration. We have seen first-hand what happens when independent operators are left without the right support. Good businesses struggle, great teams leave, and the character that made those places special gets lost. That is exactly what SAVVY exists to prevent.”
Hospitality experience at the centre of the business
SAVVY’s roots lie in the day-to-day realities of operating family-run hospitality businesses. The company understands the commercial pressures, recruitment challenges and importance of local relationships because its team has experienced them directly.
Those family values continue within the organisation. Hesketh’s wife and three children each play an active role in the business, reflecting the collaborative culture and long-term approach that SAVVY encourages with every client.
The collective’s philosophy is built around practical thinking, strong leadership, family experience, community involvement, partnership working, flexibility and commercial value.
As part of its continued expansion, SAVVY has strengthened its leadership team with Marcus Magee joining as Operations Director and Stephen Miles taking on the role of Development Director.
The business works alongside owners to introduce practical improvements that deliver measurable commercial benefits. Support covers operational reviews, revenue enhancement, leadership development, financial planning, asset optimisation, rebranding projects, community engagement and long-term business performance.
SAVVY partners with businesses operating up to approximately 100 rooms, units or equivalent scale across hotels, restaurants, bars, visitor attractions, social venues, events and lifestyle destinations.
Its growing portfolio includes The Chester Townhouse, The Richmond Hotel, The Annex, The Old Registry, Hotel Wrexham, The Savvy Fox, Queens Square Social, DevaFest and the Cheshire and North Wales Food and Drink Festival.
The collective has also established a strong presence in hospitality education. Bee Our Guest, Hesketh’s illustrated children’s book for seven to ten-year-olds, introduces hospitality careers through engaging stories. The publication became an Amazon bestseller and has since been translated into Welsh to reach more young readers across Wales and the border counties.
Five dedicated business divisions
SAVVY delivers its expertise through five specialist service areas.
SAVVY Management provides operational support for independent hotels, helping improve commercial performance, leadership, financial discipline and market representation while ensuring owners remain in control of their businesses.
SAVVY Consultancy offers tailored support ranging from intensive operational reviews through to strategic partnerships, business repositioning and pre-opening consultancy.
SAVVY Education develops hospitality talent through professional training programmes, the Bee Our Guest initiative and The Art of Hospitality conference series.
SAVVY Investment provides funding and financial guidance including bridge finance, refinancing support, cash flow assistance and asset protection. One of its recent investments is award-winning low-alcohol producer Chance Clean Cider.
SAVVY Events manages hospitality-focused events that combine commercial success with strong community engagement, including DevaFest at Cholmondeley Castle, which welcomes around 30,000 visitors every August, and the Cheshire and North Wales Food and Drink Festival.
Responding to growing demand across the sector
The expanded business has launched at a time when many independent operators are looking for experienced support without giving up ownership or decision-making. Rising costs, staffing shortages and increasing operational demands have created a growing need for specialist expertise.
Current market conditions reinforce that opportunity. Cushman & Wakefield reports that UK hotel transaction volumes reached £1.6 billion during the first quarter of 2026, more than doubling the total recorded during the same period a year earlier and sitting 53 per cent above the five-year average. Owner-operators and private investors accounted for 89 per cent of purchasing activity.
Demand continues to outstrip supply, with UK hotel demand increasing by 0.9 per cent during Q1 2026 while supply rose by just 0.7 per cent. Industry forecasts suggest that gap will continue to widen over the coming months.
The North West is also enjoying sustained growth. Manchester and Liverpool both entered the top ten of the Colliers UK Hotel Development Index 2026 for the first time, supported by strong RevPAR performance and competitive development costs. Colliers says the region’s growth reflects a long-term shift in investor confidence rather than a short-lived trend. Chester recorded a two per cent increase in licensed hospitality venues, making it the strongest-performing city in the North West and second nationwide behind Newcastle.
“Our ambition is straightforward, but ambitious,” said Hesketh. “We want to help hospitality businesses develop exceptional teams, deliver outstanding service, strengthen operational performance and build profitable businesses for the future.”
