About Me
“I help hospitality leaders build places people never want to leave - as guests or as staff. Hospitality will never die, but it needs protecting. I’m here to help it live well”
Tim James - Founder/Coach/Operator
YEAH! Hospitality | Hospobox
I’m Tim James, a leadership coach, business owner and operator with over 25 years of hands-on experience across hospitality, retail and people-first businesses. I’ve opened multiple sites, built teams from scratch, led operations and trained with (and for) some of the UK’s favourite brands - from independent start-ups to multi-site operations.
As well as running my own hospitality & retail operation business, I now thrive on training, coaching & supporting leaders at every level - from new managers stepping into their first role, to founders starting up and multi-site operators navigating growth and change.
My ‘Why’
I love what I do. I love this industry. And I owe it a lot.
After 25 years on the floor, behind the pass, on the bar, and everywhere in between, I still thrive on the mayhem, the magic, the joy, the passion, and the creativity. Hospitality has always been about something bigger than me, and I love that. Now, I want to help others love it too.
The reality? Most hospitality leaders are expected to just ‘figure it out’. We're expected to drive sales, place orders, write rotas, firefight problem after problem after problem, support our teams, run effective appraisals, write reports, play therapist, and try to stay afloat and healthy ourselves - often without any proper training, systems, tools, or support. It's no wonder so many feel burnt out, stuck, or alone.
I created HOSPOBOX because it doesn’t have to be this way.
If we want hospitality businesses to truly thrive, we absolutely, 100%, no questions asked - need to lead with an ‘all-in’ people-first mindset. That starts by investing in the people who make it all happen. With the right structure, support, and training, leaders can grow fast – in confidence, clarity, and impact. I've seen it time and again: they become steady hands, problem-solvers, culture drivers - the kind of leaders that boost morale, elevate performance, and create standout guest experiences.
This industry has given me so much over the years. Now, I’m giving it back - by helping build stronger, more capable, more human leadership at every level. Because real hospitality starts on the inside. And it only truly shines when the people, who look after the people, are inspired to make it shine.
I’ve learned so much over the years – from working closely alongside some of the industry’s most incredible operators, to leading high-pressure openings, from building and running my own site from scratch, to making every mistake along the way. Today, I help leaders cut through the noise and build businesses that actually work: successful, sustainable, and true to who they are.
Hospitality will never die. I’m here to help it live well.
People I've worked with
Where I learned my craft
My early career was shaped in fast-paced, high-expectation environments where standards, structure, and consistency were non-negotiable.
I learned the importance of sharp operational systems and the kind of leadership that sets the tone for every shift. Commercial awareness, guest focus, attention to detail, product knowledge, and team engagement weren’t just values - they were measured daily and expected to deliver results.
At Albert’s Schloss, I was part of the original opening team, responsible for creating the induction programme, guest journey, and operational standards from the ground up. Later, with The Ivy Collection, I supported the launch of key North West sites, led the opening of the first Ivy Asia, and played a central role in shaping their award-winning training academy.
In 2018, I opened my own café and retail space - a chance to put everything I’d learned into practice. That same year, I founded YEAH! Hospitality to help others do the same. Built on the foundations of structure, systems, and a relentless focus on the guest experience, the consultancy supports brands of all sizes to strengthen teams, improve performance, and drive sustainable results. Since then, every project has come through word of mouth - a reflection of the relationships, trust, and impact built along the way.
And now - Hospobox 🌱