Retail director at Bedford’s Wells & Co. named in 2020 Women to Watch

Shirley Couchman, retail director at Wells & Co, has newly been named as one of 100 talented female role models in the ‘2020 Women to Watch & Advocates for Change in Hospitality Travel Leisure Index’.

Launched by WiHTL and produced in partnership with The MBS Group, the 2020 Index highlights an incredible line up of women distinguished for their commercial and operational excellence, industry and social impact, achievements, resilience and commitment to the industry.

(Pictured: Wells & Co’s Shirley Couchman)

A celebratory virtual launch was held on 1st December and included insights from guest
speakers Keith Barr, CEO, IHG; Penny Hughes, Chair, The Gym Group and an inspirational talk by Hannah Ingram‐Moore ‐ daughter of Sir Captain Tom Moore. Having gained impressive experience at renowned companies within the industry, such as Alloa
Pubs and Restaurants, Greene King, and SSP, Couchman joined Wells & Co earlier this year. Responsible for creating and delivering the company’s pub strategy across the UK and France, she commented: “It’s a real honour to be featured as a ‘woman to watch’ in the WiHTL ‘Women to Watch & Advocates for Change in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure Index 2020’ alongside so many other fantastic role models for the industry. Certainly due cause to enjoy a few Brewpoint beers in celebration!

She continued: “I’m proud to work at a company like Wells & Co that take equality and diversity so seriously. They have a fantastic reputation within the industry and it’s fantastic to, relatively newly, be part of the driving force behind that ethos.” Tea Colaianni, Founder and Chair of WiHTL, said “It’s fantastic to see the profiles of women who despite the challenges the sector has thrown at them this year, are achieving leadership,
entrepreneurial, and commercial success along with those advocates for change who have made a wider contribution to the sector in furthering diversity, inclusion and belonging.”