Mon 29th Nov 2021 - Propel celebrates tenth birthday Propel celebrates tenth birthday: Propel is celebrating its tenth birthday this week as an independent and privately owned newswire and events company which has grown to have the biggest high-level readership in the sector. Readers and customers were asked to send us their thoughts on the first ten years. And here are a few of the emails we have received so far. Andy Hornby, chief executive of The Restaurant Group, said: “Happy tenth Birthday to Propel! As an industry we are incredibly fortunate to be covered by a ‘trade specialist’ publication who genuinely understands the challenges that the industry faces. Propel does an exceptional job in supporting the industry whilst also challenging us if we don’t deliver. Bring on the next ten years.” Simon Emeny, chief executive of Fuller’s, said: “For a decade now Propel has had its finger on the pulse of the sector. It is the go-to place for news and analysis. Many congratulations and here is the next ten years.” Mike Tye, chairman of The Big Table Group, said: “Many congratulations to Paul, Jo and all the Propel team on your tenth anniversary. From ‘small acorns’ into a giant oak tree, as an industry-leading commentator, facilitator and font of knowledge! Terrific achievements. Well done. Who knows where the next ten years will lead our industry, but I’m pretty sure that the Propel Team will be an integral part of our journey. Good luck for the future.” Alex Reilley, chairman of Loungers, said: “Over the last ten years Propel has really raised the bar and has become the sector’s go to source in terms of hospitality news and insight.” Clive Chesser, Punch Pubs & Co chief executive, said: “We’d like to wish Paul, Jo, Mark and the rest of the Propel team a well-earned 10th anniversary. Propel has diversified into so much more than simply a one-stop shop daily news briefing, with its conferences and events, Op-Eds with industry peers, video interviews and Premium service taking an inclusive, insightful and thought-provoking approach along the way. However, it has also remained sensitive to the fact that our beleaguered hospitality sector has needed trusted, reliable and relevant content more than ever during the last 18 months or so. Here’s to the next ten years.” Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, said: “The Propel team has been extraordinarily dynamic in adapting to the brave new world of on-line journalism. Their daily bulletins are rapid, accurate and informed and get the news to their readers before most of their rivals have gotten out of bed.” Nisha Katona, founder of Mowgli, said: “It can be a lonely business building restaurants outside of London. Standing tall and anchored away from that enviable root network of shared notes was made entirely achievable through daily Propel news. I speak for many northern operators when I say thank you for your tireless work in shining your spotlight, helping us walk taller and fanning into flame such an important seam of national entrepreneurship.” Luke Johnson, serial sector investor, said: “Propel is essential reading for anyone who’s serious about the pub, restaurant and hospitality trade. They provide news, insight and events about the industry, and are both expert and independent. The team at Propel really understands the business and gives unrivalled coverage. I salute the achievements of their first decade, and I expect I will continue to rely on them in another ten years!” Peter Marks, chief executive of Rekom UK, said: “The morning email is part of our daily ritual of catching up with what is happening in the sector. I know that many find it an invaluable source with a real breadth of coverage. Well done.” Charlie McVeigh, chairman of Butchies and The Breakfast Club, said: “Propel is scarily ubiquitous in our sector. Sometimes it feels Mr Wingett and team know what your business is planning before you do. Yet that intelligence is used with discretion, sensitivity and understanding. Over time, trust is built and a symbiotic relationship formed which is beneficial to both parties, and ultimately the wider industry.” Andy Laurillard, co-founder of Giggling Squid, said: “First place to go for sector news! And Mark and the team always seem to know what I’m doing before I do.” Richard Ferrier, managing director of Brasserie Bar Co, said: “Over the past ten years, Propel has gone from strength to strength and is a vital source of insight and opinion for the hospitality sector.” Alan Lorrimer, founder of The Piano Works, said: “During fifteen months of lockdown Propel Info was essential 6am reading to know how to plan my day, each day brought new changes, it was survival of the most adapted, no other information resource was as helpful. We survived and with sales better than ever I no longer view other operators as competitors, now thanks in part to Propel, I see our sector as a family, learning, sharing and comparing ideas, results and strategies. Propel is essential family reading for us all.” Pano Christou, chief executive of Pret A Manger, said: “Propel has grown over the years to be a well-informed read on what is happening throughout the industry. I personally enjoy the Friday Wrap as it helps me to formulate my views on the changing landscape of our industry. Here’s to another ten years.” Robin Rowland, partner at TriSpan, said: “What a decade. Propel is my daily read, first with hospitality news, with insightful challenging editorial and great conferences – the team have built a brilliant go-to daily feed platform.” Andrew Ball, partner at Haysmacintyre, said: “Haysmacintyre has been a sponsor of Propel Multi Club since its inception and have been very impressed by the interesting range of speakers and presenters during this time. The events they hold are a great place to network and meet both old contacts and new opportunities alike. Similarly, the daily updates are the perfect length and content to catch up on events whilst on the train in the morning. Congratulations to Jo, Paul and the rest of the Propel Team on your ten year anniversary and here’s to many more to come.” Prestige Purchasing marketing manager Stuart Read said: “Highly recommended for anyone wanting to create relationships in the on-trade sector. All the benefits of a big media house but with the flexibility and responsiveness of an owner-managed business.” Trail founder Joe Cripps said: “Founding Trail has been a huge adventure. The day we discovered Propel, and its place at the centre of the industry, was a new chapter in terms of our growth – the most successful chapter to date. We started multi-club as a nervous start-up, breaking new ground, with just three customers. Now, four years on, we work with most of the attendees in the room and feel like part of the family. We’ve made great business relationships and more importantly, strong friendships that have made Trail what it is today. A massive thank you to the team.” Wireless Social chief executive Julian Ross said: “We’ve been working with Paul, Jo, Jill, Mark and their team for almost nine years now, and they’ve been an absolute Godsend for our business, and for me personally. Propel is built on old-school values, where your word is your bond and they’ve relentlessly over-delivered in promoting Wireless Social to their unparalleled readership, as well as through the intimate Propel events. Without Propel, I have no doubt that our business wouldn’t be where it is today, and I’d not have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful hospitality obsessed people along the way. Thanks so much for all that you do!” Yumpingo chief executive Gary Goodman said: “Happy Anniversary to the entire Propel team. Propel is run by a team of individuals who are not just running a media business, every one of them cares passionately for the hospitality industry they serve. They are creative, pragmatic and are committed to build long term partnerships with customers and the industry as a whole. When it comes to thought leadership content in UK hospitality they have built a unique platform and audience.” KAM Media managing director Katy Moses said: “We have worked closely with Propel for a number of years now. Their newsletter and events are a critical source of industry insight and information and the events are a phenomenal way to keep in touch with industry peers and contacts. If you’re not already involved, then you’re missing out!” Toggle chief executive Dan Brookman said: “When we are thinking about where to place our marketing budget Propel has always been an easy choice, they offer a breadth of events throughout the year and their daily news updates are relied on throughout the sector to keep people abreast of the many changes for operators, suppliers and for the individuals that move around the sector. The events are informative, have great speakers and basically are always good fun. They offer us the opportunity to network with our customers, partners and potential customers informally, usually against a backdrop of some terrific sponsors providing food and drinks. It’s a cracking group of people doing their very best to keep the sector informed while providing insight and a platform for knowledge to be shared. Throughout covid-19 they have been a constant support to the sector. Many Happy Returns Propel, here’s to the next ten years!” Luminary founder Ann Elliott said: “I have been working with Propel since the beginning and not only are they the very heartbeat of the sector but also extremely experienced and professional. Always great fun to work with, supportive, proactive, creative and straight-forward – a really wonderful team!”