Tom McDermott

With over 30 years in the industry, Tom observed that daily routines in hospitality can be plagued by 30% – 50% inefficiencies. Surprisingly, only a handful of hospitality businesses employ proven methods like LEAN and Six Sigma to streamline operations and enhance consistency.

This insight led Tom to establish Agility Hospitality, offering tailored continuous improvement training and LEAN transformation projects specifically for the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Before founding Agility Hospitality, Tom gained international experience with Starwood, Cunard, Radisson, and Hilton. At Hilton, he spearheaded their "Operational Excellence" continuous improvement initiative across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Tom is a certified LEAN Six Sigma Green Belt and has completed a Certificate in Data Analytics for Business from DKIT, along with a Professional Diploma in Transversal Skills from UCD and TU Dublin.

He ardently promotes a "bottom up & leader led" approach to continuous improvement, believing that fostering trusting and respectful relationships among leaders and team members unleashes creativity.

Justin Saunders

We are thrilled to introduce Justin, a dedicated professional with a strong foothold in hospitality. Based in Hertfordshire, Justin embodies the essence of family values, balancing a thriving career with the joys of marriage and parenthood.

Justin’s journey commenced at a local Best Western hotel, where at the age of 15 he discovered a profound passion for elevating the guest experience. He went on to study BA Business Studies at Bournemouth University, including his placement at Robert Bosch, Cardiff, where he found his passion for all things learning and development..

Post-graduation, Justin joined the dynamic environment at Ramada in Bristol, beginning his leadership journey in Food & Beverage operations, Meetings & Events, and Duty Management. The stage was set, and onwards it was to Micros-Fidelio as a Systems Installer/Trainer. Next, a pivotal chapter unfolded during a 12-year tenure with Hilton, where Justin led regional and global learning initiatives, team member development, brand expansion, and global commercial learning.

In 2022, Justin ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing JS Learning with a focus on enhancing the hospitality industry's ability to deliver the Ultimate guest experience. Known for a balanced approach that is both engaging and professionally sound, Justin has become a respected figure in the field, and so we are delighted to welcome Justin to the Agility Hospitality team as an Associate Facilitator, where his expertise in creating exceptional learning experiences will undoubtedly contribute to our commitment to continuous improvement in the UK hospitality industry.

Grace-Ann Fallon

Grace Ann has worked in all aspects of the Tourism and Hospitality sector since graduating from Cathal Brugha St over 25 years ago ! Working in every department in the hotel sector up to Director level and General Management , Grace Ann has an expert eye to understand both the guest and employee journey. Working for global brands throughout her career including Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Conrad and Hilton Hotels, IHG and many independent hotels gives her a really broad and international perspective. 

Grace-Ann met Tom McDermott founder of Agility Hospitality while doing a Professional Diploma in Transversal Skills with UCD and TU Dublin during the pandemic and has been working with Agility Hospitality on projects both in Ireland and the UK over the last 2 years. Grace-Ann loves to see how small changes make impactful differences and by simplifying and improving the daily processes how this has a positive impact not only on the business but also for the employee and ultimately the guest. Instilling a good cultural mindset is what Grace-Ann enjoys the most about working with Agility Hospitality and to see how results driven the projects are for the partners we work with throughout Ireland and the UK. 

Ken Bell

Ken’s extensive background includes hotel operations, finance & accounting, business analysis, budgeting & forecasting, strategic planning, internal controls, change management, project management, and broad leadership skills honed over several years of developing and inspiring multi-disciplinary teams.

Over a 16-year career at HILTON, Ken began as the CFO responsible for opening the largest ever resort in HILTON’s history, including the first new-build Waldorf Astoria, and before departing in 2022, establishing HILTON’s industry-leading workforce performance management programs in the Americas including the evolution toward a team of workforce performance experts that support all managed hotels and deliver continuous profit improvement.

Since leaving HILTON, he has worked with several hospitality and related organizations assisting them with labour management, internal controls, software development and change management.

Simon Povall

Simon brings a wealth of expertise, from over 30 years working in the hospitality sector. Starting out as a graduate trainee in the UK hotel market working his way up to Deputy Hotel Manager in 5 years. In the late 1990’s, Simon moved to Ireland and worked in the fine dining and contract catering arena and most recently as Business Development Director. Simon is an expert in Change Management, communication and an engaging enthusiastic and natural trainer.