Peter Avis is a multi-award-winning General Manager and customer service consultant with over 25 years of international experience in the hospitality sector. His career, which began as a dishwasher and led to winning the UK Restaurant Manager of the Year in 2009, exemplifies hard work, humility, and a commitment to high standards.
For over 15 years, Peter was integral to the Virgin Group, working closely with Sir Richard Branson. He managed the London Roof Gardens and launched Virgin Limited Edition hotels, including Mont Rochelle Hotel and Restaurant in South Africa and Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco. He also supervised the wedding of Sir Richard’s daughter on Necker Island. Recently, Peter was appointed General Manager of Galvin at Windows at the London Hilton Park Lane.
Born in Liverpool and raised on a council estate, Peter left school at 16. During a visit to his sister in Miami, he took his first job as a dishwasher. His positive attitude quickly earned him a position on the restaurant floor, where he demonstrated natural people skills and business acumen.
Peter's subsequent roles at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and the Royal Garden Hotel in London taught him the importance of training, communication, service, and consistency. He eventually became an assistant manager at a private restaurant in Knightsbridge, London.
In 2001, Peter joined the opening team of Babylon Restaurant, progressing from supervisor to manager within a few years. Under his leadership, the restaurant won the Best London Restaurant award at the Visit London Awards in 2008, and Peter was named UK Restaurant Manager of the Year in 2009.
In 2014, Peter received the Richard Branson Special Award for Services to the Community and the Carey Award for Manager of the Year. He was appointed Chairman of the UK Guild of Restaurant Services and became the youngest member inducted into the Restaurant Hall of Fame. In 2022, he was awarded Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Medal and inducted into the Seal of Excellence within the House of Lords for his services to hospitality. Peter was also named a top influencer in hospitality in 2022.
Peter has served on various industry advisory boards and featured in numerous press articles and industry magazines, including GS Magazine, Big Hospitality, Essentially Catering, and The Caterer.
How can I book Peter Avis for my next event?
Email peter.avis@getapeptalk.com, or call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
PepTalk are the official speaking agents for Peter Avis available to book for corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity endorsements, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Peter Avis's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. For media interviews, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Peter directly.
What topics does Peter Avis specialise in?
Peter Avis specialises in discussing hospitality management, customer service, leadership in the hospitality industry and more.
What is Peter Avis's speaking style like?
Peter’s delivery style is personable and attentive, always going the extra mile to support his team and guests. He creates a positive atmosphere that enhances both performance and workplace morale.
Does Peter Avis offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, Peter Avis offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.