Seven beam members named among UK’s best employers

Seven members of beam, the trade association representing business events, accommodation and meetings, have been named among the UK’s Best Places to Work in the 2026 list published on 24 May. The recognition spans a mix of hotel groups and resort venues operating across the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market.

The organisations honoured are Cairn Group, De Vere, Richmond Hill, Royal Lancaster, The Belfry Hotel & Spa, Valor Hospitality UK & Europe and Wyboston Lakes Resort. Their inclusion highlights how a number of prominent meetings and conference providers are placing increased emphasis on employee experience and retention at a time when the sector continues to compete for talent.

Background: workplace pressures in the events and hospitality sector

Table of Contents

The UK events and hospitality industries have undergone substantial workforce disruption in recent years, shaped by the pandemic, shifting working patterns and changing expectations around flexibility and wellbeing. Event venues and hotel-based conference facilities have had to address skills shortages, rising labour costs and a need to rebuild teams after prolonged closures.

At the same time, clients placing meetings and events are paying closer attention to service quality, consistency and the stability of the teams delivering onsite. This has pushed many operators to rethink how they attract, develop and retain staff, from front-of-house teams managing delegate experiences through to sales, technical production and operations staff that underpin business events.

Industry benchmarks that recognise high-performing employers have therefore gained influence, providing both a reputational signal for clients and a reference point for jobseekers evaluating career options in business events, hotels and resorts.

Key developments in the 2026 recognition

The latest UK’s Best Places to Work list, published on 24 May 2026, features seven beam member organisations:

Cairn Group – An operator of hotels and venues across the UK, hosting a range of corporate meetings, events and conferences.
De Vere – A well-established collection of country estate hotels and dedicated conference properties serving the meetings and training market.
Richmond Hill – A hotel and event venue with facilities used for corporate gatherings and private functions.
Royal Lancaster – A London hotel with extensive event space that hosts conferences, awards and large corporate occasions.
The Belfry Hotel & Spa – A resort known for golf and leisure, with a significant meetings and conference offering.
Valor Hospitality UK & Europe – A management company operating multiple branded hotel properties, many of which include meeting and event facilities.
Wyboston Lakes Resort – A dedicated conference, training and leisure resort with multiple venues and a strong presence in the business events market.

While the detailed scoring for each organisation is not publicly outlined in the announcement, the list typically evaluates aspects such as employee engagement, culture, leadership, benefits and development opportunities. Being featured suggests that these organisations have implemented people-focused policies and practices that are resonating with staff.

For beam, which supports agencies and suppliers across business events and hospitality, the presence of multiple member companies in the national ranking provides an external validation of the association’s emphasis on professional standards and responsible business practices.

Industry impact: raising expectations for venue employers

The recognition of seven beam members in a national best-employer ranking has implications beyond the organisations named. It contributes to a broader conversation about what constitutes a sustainable and competitive workplace in the events and venue ecosystem.

For hotel and venue operators, it underscores growing expectations around structured career paths, inclusive culture, fair pay and wellbeing support that go beyond traditional hospitality norms. As more businesses in the sector gain recognition for workplace excellence, the baseline for what staff expect from employers is likely to rise.

From a client perspective, procurement teams and event planners are increasingly attentive to the social and governance aspects of their supply chains. Venues and partners that can demonstrate strong employee engagement and low staff turnover may be seen as lower risk, more reliable and better placed to deliver consistent service, particularly for complex or high-profile events.

The recognition may also influence recruitment dynamics. Employers that can evidence external validation of their workplace culture often find it easier to attract candidates, particularly younger professionals who place strong weight on values, development and flexibility. In a sector still grappling with labour shortages, this can become a competitive differentiator.

Why this matters for event professionals and technology providers

For event professionals, the quality of the delegate and organiser experience is closely tied to the teams operating venues and hotels. A stable, engaged workforce tends to result in better communication, more consistent delivery and a stronger understanding of recurring client requirements. When venue teams feel supported and valued, they are better positioned to collaborate on more complex, technology-rich formats such as hybrid events or multi-site meetings.

Technology providers and platform operators working with these venues may also feel the effects of stronger workplace cultures. Implementing event technology – whether that is registration systems, audience engagement tools, AV and production infrastructure or hybrid event platforms – typically requires close cooperation between venue staff, IT teams and external suppliers. High levels of staff continuity and a positive internal culture can make it easier to roll out new solutions, train teams and maintain operational standards.

For the broader event tech ecosystem, the emphasis on being a good employer aligns with the push towards more sustainable and responsible events. Social sustainability now sits alongside environmental considerations, with hiring practices, workforce wellbeing and diversity policies increasingly referenced in RFPs and corporate event guidelines. Venues recognised as leading employers may find it easier to meet these criteria and demonstrate alignment with client ESG strategies.

Agencies and planners selecting venues may therefore start to see workplace accreditation as one more data point when shortlisting partners for conferences, exhibitions and incentive programmes. While service quality and technical capabilities remain central, the stability and satisfaction of the people delivering those services are becoming part of the commercial discussion.

Conclusion

The inclusion of Cairn Group, De Vere, Richmond Hill, Royal Lancaster, The Belfry Hotel & Spa, Valor Hospitality UK & Europe and Wyboston Lakes Resort in the UK’s Best Places to Work 2026 list highlights the progress some meetings and hospitality operators are making on workplace culture and employee engagement.

For the business events community, the development points to an ongoing shift: employers that invest in their people are not only improving staff retention but also strengthening their appeal to event organisers and corporate clients. As the sector continues to rebuild and evolve, workplace recognition of this kind is likely to become an increasingly visible marker of resilience, service quality and long-term competitiveness in the meetings and events marketplace.