SAVVY Collective has introduced a refreshed brand and a wider strategic direction as it strengthens its support for independent hotels, leisure businesses and lifestyle ventures. The new positioning reflects the company’s ambition to become the preferred partner for owner-led businesses seeking hands-on operational expertise, commercial guidance and investment support, while preserving the individuality that defines their brands.
Created by award-winning hotelier Steven Hesketh, SAVVY Collective brings together management, consultancy, education, events and investment into one integrated business. Its approach is grounded in real operational experience, having been built by professionals who have managed and grown hospitality businesses themselves.
“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.”
An operator-led business with family values
SAVVY’s foundation is rooted in the realities of running independent family-owned hospitality businesses. From managing rising costs and staffing challenges to maintaining strong community relationships, the collective understands the day-to-day pressures owners face because its team has experienced them first-hand.
That philosophy also shapes the organisation itself. Hesketh’s wife and three children all contribute to the business, reinforcing the family-led values and collaborative approach that SAVVY promotes with its clients.
The company is built around a clear set of principles that include practical thinking, people-focused leadership, family experience, local engagement, partnership working, adaptability and commercially driven decision-making.
Supporting its continued expansion, SAVVY has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Marcus Magee as Operations Director and Stephen Miles as Development Director.
Rather than delivering theoretical recommendations, SAVVY works directly alongside business owners to implement practical improvements. Its services include operational recovery, revenue optimisation, leadership development, cash flow assistance, asset enhancement, repositioning, rebranding, community engagement and long-term business growth.
The collective supports hospitality businesses of up to around 100 rooms, units or equivalent capacity across hotels, food and beverage venues, attractions, social spaces, events and lifestyle destinations.
Its 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.
Education has become another important part of the business. Bee Our Guest, a children’s book created by Hesketh for readers aged seven to ten, introduces young people to careers in hospitality through storytelling. The book became an Amazon bestseller and has since been translated into Welsh to encourage greater engagement with the sector across Wales and neighbouring regions.
Five specialist divisions
SAVVY delivers its services through five dedicated business areas.
SAVVY Management supports independent hotels with complete operational services, including commercial performance, hotel representation, people-focused leadership and financial management, while allowing owners to retain control of their businesses.
SAVVY Consultancy offers everything from intensive three-day operational reviews to ongoing strategic partnerships, repositioning programmes and pre-opening advice.
SAVVY Education helps develop hospitality professionals throughout their careers through industry-led learning initiatives, the Bee Our Guest programme and The Art of Hospitality conference series.
SAVVY Investment provides flexible funding solutions including cash flow assistance, bridge finance, refinancing support and asset protection. Its recent investments include award-winning low-alcohol producer Chance Clean Cider.
SAVVY Events creates and manages hospitality experiences that combine commercial success with community engagement. These include DevaFest, the annual family music festival at Cholmondeley Castle that attracts around 30,000 visitors every August, alongside the Cheshire and North Wales Food and Drink Festival.
Launching at a pivotal time for hospitality
SAVVY’s expanded proposition comes as many independent hospitality businesses face increasing operational challenges. Rising costs, recruitment difficulties and growing commercial pressures have created demand for experienced support, while many owners remain determined to retain control of their businesses rather than hand them over to large corporate operators.
Industry data highlights the opportunity. According to Cushman & Wakefield, UK hotel transaction volumes reached £1.6 billion during the first quarter of 2026, more than twice the level recorded during the same period in 2025 and 53 per cent above the five-year average. Owner-operators and private investors represented 89 per cent of all buyers during the quarter.
Trading conditions also remain positive. UK hotel demand increased by 0.9 per cent year-on-year during Q1 2026, while supply rose by only 0.7 per cent, with the gap expected to widen throughout the remainder of the year.
The North West continues to demonstrate particularly strong momentum. 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 relatively competitive development costs. Colliers described the region’s rise as a lasting change in investment patterns rather than a temporary trend. Chester also recorded a two per cent increase in licensed hospitality venues, making it the strongest-performing city in the North West and second nationally behind Newcastle.
“Our aim is simple, but bold,” added Hesketh. “We want to help hospitality businesses build stronger teams, deliver exceptional service, improve operational resilience and create sustainable long-term profitability.”
