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Speaker & hospitality expert

Peter Avis

Transform customer service and leadership excellence with Peter Avis, speaker and hospitality management expert. Peter works with organisations to elevate service standards and develop authentic leadership, delivering award-winning insights backed by 25 years of experience with Virgin Group and luxury hospitality brands.

Trusted by Virgin Group

Peter Avis, Speaker | Award-Winning Hospitality Leader
Peter Avis

Peter Avis

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£2k–5k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£2k–5k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Peter Avis's biography

At a glance

  • Former UK Restaurant Manager of the Year
  • Managed Virgin Group's London Roof Gardens
  • General Manager of Galvin at Windows, London Hilton Park Lane
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.

Peter's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Creating Award-Winning Customer Service
During a 25-year career, Peter has seen first-hand, from the bottom up, what is required to deliver and maintain the highest standards of customer service and care. Peter considers and discusses the skills and requirements to create and manage a memorable experience and how to deal with inevitable difficulties and pitfalls.
Delivering On Your Promise
Any business needs to keep customers and clients happy. In the hospitality industry, this also means keeping your customers engaged. Peter identifies the key factors required to ensure you and your business deliver on its promise.
Maximizing Employee Engagement for Peak Performance
Engaged employees perform at a higher level and bring passion and interest to their jobs. Peter identifies the key drivers of experience, productivity, and engagement so that companies can act in real time to drive changes in the workplace.
How To Succeed In The Hospitality Sector
From a dishwasher in a Miami restaurant to receiving the award of UK Restaurant Manager of Year, Peter has seen all the necessary tools, including commercial requirements, to succeed. He discusses what he has learned and how this can help shape your business both internally and externally.

Why we recommend booking Peter

Book Peter Avis as a speaker to inspire your team with his incredible journey from dishwasher to award-winning General Manager, showcasing the power of hard work and humility. With over 25 years of international experience in launching high-end restaurants and luxurious hotels, Peter's insights into exceptional customer service and leadership are unparalleled. His compelling story and practical advice will motivate your team to achieve excellence and high standards in their own roles.

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Trusted by Virgin Group

Testimonials

Like me, Peter believes it is very important in a business to take a keen interest in the people who work for them. Their happiness reflects on their performance and the pervading mood of the business. Peter always goes that extra mile with his team and guests and truly loves what he does, and that shows.

Sir Richard Branson

frequently asked questions

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How do I book Peter Avis for my next event?

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What information do I need to provide to book a speaker?

To get the sharpest shortlist, share your event date, audience, format, key objectives, and budget. A rough idea is enough to start. The more context PepTalk has, the more precisely the team can match a speaker to your brief. Send it via getapeptalk.com.

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There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.

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Booking a speaker with PepTalk starts with a short brief: your event, audience, date, budget, and format. Send it through getapeptalk.com or hello@getapeptalk.com and you'll get a shortlist within 24 hours. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, fees, travel, and logistics end to end.

I need a last-minute speaker. Can PepTalk help?

Yes. PepTalk regularly handles last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, host, or comedian quickly, often within days. Availability narrows as the date nears, so get in touch as early as you can. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.

How much does it cost to book a speaker through PepTalk?

Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.

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Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.

How quickly will I get a speaker shortlist?

You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.

Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

What information do I need to provide when booking a comedian?

When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Can I book a speaker for a virtual or hybrid event?

Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.

How do I brief an insights speaker on my organisation's strategic context?

Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.

Can event entertainers customise their act for my company or industry?

Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.