Empower Your Senior Teams for Enduring Success with Crack On Coaching
The Leadership Challenge in Hospitality and Leisure
In the ever-evolving world of hospitality and leisure, where guest expectations are as unpredictable as the seasons and operational demands intensify with every passing quarter, senior leaders are confronted with a perfect storm of complexities. Economic headwinds—rising energy costs, inflationary pressures on supply chains, and the lingering ripples of post-pandemic recovery—compound the intricacies of managing hybrid workforces spanning urban hotspots and rural retreats.
Add to this the relentless shifts in labour markets, characterised by acute skills shortages and the imperative for inclusive, agile talent pipelines, alongside the need to pivot business goals towards sustainability, digital transformation, and hyper-personalised guest experiences. It’s a high-stakes arena where the onus falls not only on achieving robust financial performance—think maximising RevPAR, ADR, and occupancy yields—but also on nurturing team wellbeing to combat burnout and turnover rates that can erode up to 30% of operational budgets annually.
For Area Managers and Business Development Managers (BDMs), this translates to a daily tightrope walk: balancing multi-site oversight with strategic foresight, all while ensuring every venue delivers the seamless, memorable experiences that define sector excellence.
Crack On Coaching: Your Partner in Transformation
At Crack On Coaching, we understand these pressures intimately because we’ve walked in your shoes. Founded on the principle of ‘cracking on’ with unyielding determination and insight, we deliver transformative executive coaching that doesn’t just address symptoms but builds the foundational resilience and strategic prowess your organisation demands. Our approach is rooted in the realities of the UK hospitality and leisure landscape—from boutique hotels and vibrant gastropubs to expansive leisure complexes and rooftop bars—ensuring that every intervention is practical, measurable, and immediately applicable.
Meet Jon Saunders: Your Guide to Leadership Mastery
Leading the charge at Crack On Coaching is Jon Saunders, a hospitality luminary with over two decades of hands-on experience in senior operational and strategic roles across the sector. Jon’s illustrious career spans from spearheading regional expansions for major pub operators to advising on C-suite transitions for innovative leisure enterprises. A former Area Director for one of the UK’s foremost pub groups, he has orchestrated turnarounds that boosted EBITDA by up to 25% through targeted leadership interventions, while championing cultures of empowerment that reduced staff attrition by 40%.
Jon holds accreditations from the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) and the Coaching and Mentoring Academy, blending evidence-based coaching methodologies with sector-specific acumen. His client roster speaks volumes: GAUCHO, Punch Pubs, Wells & Co, Avani Solutions, Bear Inns, Circe Rooftop, Brakspear, Cleverchefs, Cobbles, Polaris Elements, and many more trust Jon to deliver tangible ROI, with 95% client satisfaction rates and measurable uplifts in Net Promoter Scores (NPS), labour efficiency, and talent progression.
Our Tailored Programme: The Area Managers / BDMs Leadership Accelerator
Designed For
Ambitious Business Development Managers (BDMs), Area Managers, and senior operational leaders within hospitality and leisure organisations. Ideal for those transitioning from tactical site management—overseeing daily FOH/BOH operations, compliance, and shift scheduling—to strategic regional stewardship, where influence spans portfolios of 10+ venues and direct impact on group-level P&L.
Programme Duration and Format
This flagship, offline in-person programme spans three intensive full-day modules over six weeks, allowing for reflective application between sessions. Delivered in elegant, sector-aligned venues—think historic guildhalls or contemporary co-working spaces in central London and Manchester—it adheres to industry gold standards, including ILM-aligned content for CPD accreditation (up to 21 hours). With a maximum cohort size of 12, we prioritise intimate, high-touch facilitation, blending Jon’s live coaching with peer-to-peer roundtables and venue-specific simulations.
Programme Objective
To propel site-savvy managers into visionary regional architects who not only safeguard profitability and guest loyalty but also cultivate high-performing ecosystems. Graduates emerge equipped to orchestrate regional strategies that deliver 15-20% uplifts in operational KPIs, while embedding a ‘people-first’ ethos that aligns with the British Institute of Innkeeping’s (BII) benchmarks for ethical leadership and the Hospitality Sector Council’s sustainability charter.
Our Proven Framework: The IMPACT Pathway
At the core of our programme lies the IMPACT Pathway—a battle-tested, six-pillar model co-developed by Jon Saunders, refined through real-world deployments with our client roster. This framework isn’t theoretical; it’s a practical blueprint, infused with hospitality-specific tools like yield management templates and guest journey mapping exercises. Each pillar is explored through a dedicated module, featuring:
I – Inspire Leadership: Forge an authentic leadership signature that galvanises diverse teams—from millennial bar staff to seasoned sommeliers. Delve into executive presence techniques, vision-crafting workshops, and storytelling masterclasses tailored to hospitality’s narrative-driven culture. Outcome: Leaders who command boardroom buy-in and floor-level buy-out, reducing silos by 35% as per participant feedback.
M – Mentor Their Teams: Master the nuances of developmental mentoring to unlock GM potential. Learn scalable one-to-one frameworks, feedback loops aligned with the UK’s Apprenticeship Levy, and succession planning for high-turnover roles. Case in point: A Brakspear Area Manager, post-programme, accelerated three GMs’ promotions, boosting venue RevPAX by 12%.
P – Performance Metrics: Demystify data as your strategic ally. Gain proficiency in hospitality KPIs—RevPAR, GOPPAR, labour cost percentages, and ESG reporting—via hands-on dashboard builds and behavioural nudges. Integrate tools like Power BI for regional oversight, ensuring decisions drive the ‘right’ actions, not just outputs.
A – Align Goals: Seamlessly cascade corporate imperatives into venue-level wins. Explore OKR (Objectives and Key Results) adaptation for seasonal trading, cross-functional alignment sessions, and innovation sprints for trends like plant-based menus or contactless tech. This pillar equips you to turn strategy into symphony, mirroring successes at Punch Pubs where alignment lifted regional margins by 18%.
C – Coach for Growth: Institutionalise coaching as a daily discipline. Design bespoke talent matrices, embed 360-degree reviews compliant with GDPR, and craft IDPs (Individual Development Plans) that retain top talent amid the Great Resignation’s echoes. Foster psychological safety, drawing on Gallup’s engagement models, to elevate team NPS from ‘good’ to ‘great’.
T – Transform Challenges: Cultivate antifragility for the sector’s volatilities—be it VAT fluctuations, weather-impacted events, or geopolitical supply shocks. Through crisis simulation labs and resilience audits, master adaptive pivots, post-mortem debriefs, and change narratives that inspire rather than intimidate. Graduates from Wells & Co, for example, navigated a 25% labour shortage with agile redeployment, emerging stronger.
Why Choose Crack On Coaching? Our Unique Selling Propositions
Hospitality Hyper-Specialisation: Unlike generic programmes, ours is laser-focused on leisure and hospitality pain points, with 100% of content vetted by active operators like GAUCHO and Bear Inns.
Jon Saunders’ Insider Edge: Direct access to a coach who’s scaled empires and advised icons—delivering insights no textbook can match, with a 95% client NPS.
ROI-Focused, Measurable Impact: Pre- and post-programme audits track progress against baselines, with 85% of alumni reporting quantifiable wins within 90 days (e.g., 15%+ revenue growth).
Bespoke, Offline Immersion: No Zoom fatigue—our face-to-face format builds unbreakable networks, complete with venue tours and informal networking dinners.
Sustained Support Ecosystem: Lifetime access to our alumni portal, quarterly masterminds, and one complimentary follow-up session with Jon.
Ethical, Inclusive Design: Aligned with BIIAB and IoD standards, emphasising diversity, equity, and sustainability to future-proof your leadership.
Tangible Outcomes
Alumni don’t just complete the programme—they redefine their regions. Expect fortified leadership pipelines that slash recruitment costs by 20-30%, amplified guest advocacy through empowered teams, and resilient operations that weather economic squalls. Backed by data from our client portfolio, this translates to stronger P&Ls, higher investor confidence, and a legacy of excellence that echoes across your estate.
What’s Included in Your Investment
Core Toolkit: Customisable regional playbook templates (e.g., for trading calendars and compliance checklists), a curated library of 50+ coaching questions for every scenario, and plug-and-play performance dashboards integrating tools like Excel and Tableau for metrics such as table turnover and waste reduction.
Experiential Elements: Guest speaker spotlights from sector trailblazers, plus a personalised leadership assessment report.
Ongoing Reinforcement: Six months of digital resources (podcasts, webinars), plus two post-programme group coaching calls to audit progress and refine strategies.
Certification: ILM-endorsed certificate, enhancing your CV and LinkedIn profile for that next board-level move.
Course Preview Excerpt: A Glimpse into the IMPACT Pathway
Step into the ‘Transform Challenges’ module with this immersive teaser: “Picture this: A Circe Rooftop venue faces a sudden licensing hiccup amid peak season, threatening £50K in bookings. In our role-play arena, you’ll dissect the scenario layer by layer—spotting regulatory red flags via a custom risk matrix, mobilising your GM network with scripted comms templates, and deploying a ‘pivot playbook’ that reallocates staff to pop-up events. Drawing from Jon’s turnaround at a Punch Pubs cluster during the 2022 energy crisis (where a 15% dip became a 10% surge via supplier renegotiations), you’ll workshop bounce-back metrics: Track recovery velocity, morale rebound via pulse surveys, and innovation ROI. Leave with a personal resilience audit tool, ensuring your regions don’t just recover—they evolve, turning sector shocks into signature strengths.”
Join Us in 2026
Running quarterly from Q1 2026 in central London and Manchester, places are filling fast—previous cohorts included delegates from over 15 leading groups. Secure yours and step into a future where your leadership doesn’t just manage change; it masters it.
Discuss tailoring this powerhouse programme for your team, explore availability, and lock in your spot. Let’s forge leadership that endures—together.
Features
Immersive In-Person Delivery: Three full-day workshops in premium London and Manchester venues, limited to 12 participants for personalised coaching and peer networking.
IMPACT Pathway Framework: A six-pillar model (Inspire, Mentor, Performance, Align, Coach, Transform) honed with clients like GAUCHO and Punch Pubs, delivering 15-20% KPI uplifts.
Expert Facilitation by Jon Saunders: Leverage Jon’s 20+ years of hospitality expertise, with proven successes at Wells & Co and Brakspear, including 25% EBITDA gains and 40% turnover reductions.
Practical Toolkits: Customisable regional playbooks, 50+ coaching questions, and interactive dashboards for metrics like RevPAR, labour costs, and waste reduction.
Real-World Simulations: Venue-specific role-plays (e.g., handling a £50K booking crisis) to master crisis management and resilience, as seen in Circe Rooftop turnarounds.
ILM-Accredited CPD: Earn up to 21 hours of Continuing Professional Development credits, enhancing your CV and LinkedIn profile.
Sustained Support: Lifetime access to an alumni portal, quarterly masterminds, and two post-programme coaching calls to embed learnings.
Networking Opportunities: Informal dinners and venue tours to build lasting connections with peers from leading groups like Avani Solutions and Bear Inns.
Data-Driven Insights: Hands-on training with tools like Power BI and Excel to optimise performance metrics, aligning with BII and Hospitality Sector Council standards.
Target audiences
Company Owners, Directors, General Managers and Executive Officers
Area Managers: Overseeing multi-site operations (e.g., pub groups, hotel chains, or leisure complexes) and seeking to drive regional profitability while fostering high-performing teams.
Business Development Managers (BDMs): Focused on expanding brand footprints, securing partnerships, or boosting venue revenue through strategic initiatives like upselling or guest experience enhancements.
Senior Operational Leaders: Managing portfolios of 5-20 venues, with responsibility for aligning local execution with corporate goals, such as sustainability or digital adoption.
Rising Stars: High-potential managers transitioning from single-site oversight to regional roles, eager to master skills like mentoring, KPI optimisation, and crisis navigation.
Multi-Unit Supervisors: Leaders in casual dining, fine dining, or leisure sectors aiming to reduce turnover (often 30%+ in hospitality) and improve Net Promoter Scores (NPS).
Franchise or Group Operators: Professionals managing branded or independent estates, needing tools to standardise excellence across diverse locations.
Talent Development Champions: Leaders committed to building robust succession pipelines, ensuring GMs and junior managers are primed for promotion.
Change Agents: Individuals tasked with driving transformation, whether integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) practices or navigating post-Brexit labour dynamics.
Requirements
Minimum 5–7 years of leadership experience within hospitality, leisure, or a related service industry
Proven responsibility for multi-site, departmental, or strategic-level performance
A strong understanding of commercial drivers, including budgeting, P&L ownership, and workforce planning
Experience in managing, coaching, and developing managers or senior teams
A commitment to personal and professional growth, with an openness to feedback and reflective learning
Course Material
FAQs
The Leadership Accelerator is tailored for Area Managers, BDMs, and senior operational leaders in hospitality and leisure, managing multiple venues. Participants should have at least 3 years of leadership experience, with exposure to operational KPIs like RevPAR or guest satisfaction scores, and a desire to transition to strategic regional roles.
Unlike generic leadership programmes, ours is 100% hospitality-focused, led by Jon Saunders, who’s driven measurable results for GAUCHO, Punch Pubs, and more. Our offline, small-cohort format ensures bespoke coaching, real-world simulations, and tools like performance dashboards, delivering 15-20% KPI uplifts within 90 days.
The programme spans three full-day workshops over six weeks, held in central London or Manchester. With a maximum of 12 participants, it includes immersive sessions, peer roundtables, and reflective tasks, totaling approximately 21 hours of ILM-accredited CPD.
Graduates report 5-20% improvements in regional revenue, 10-30% reductions in recruitment costs, and enhanced team engagement. Tools like regional playbooks and coaching frameworks empower you to align strategies, reduce turnover, and elevate guest experiences, as seen with Brakspear and Wells & Co.
Beyond the workshops, you gain lifetime access to an alumni portal, quarterly mastermind sessions, and two follow-up coaching calls. Resources like podcasts, webinars, and a 50+ question coaching library ensure sustained growth and application.
Yes, Jon Saunders works closely with participants to align content with your specific challenges, whether managing pub estates, hotel portfolios, or leisure complexes. Customisations can focus on KPIs, sustainability, or team dynamics, as delivered for clients like Avani Solutions.
With limited spots, early booking is essential. Contact Jon Saunders at jon@crackonleadership.com or call 07738 359904 to discuss your needs, explore availability, and reserve your place for Q1 2026 in London or Manchester.
Absolutely. The programme adheres to ILM and BII benchmarks, incorporating ESG principles and ethical leadership standards from the Hospitality Sector Council. It’s designed to future-proof your leadership in a competitive, evolving sector.
Contact Jon Saunders today at jon@crackonleadership.com or 07738 359904 to secure your spot and elevate your leadership in hospitality and leisure.
