Hospitality Business Leaders

How to Thrive

in Business & Life without Burning Out

So you can Make the Difference you were born to make

You're most likely here because you, too, want to see a Thriving Future of Hospitality, as if People, Places & Planet matter. If so, then you're the type of leader I help succeed. Read on...

Who I Work With

80% of my work is with the hospitality leaders below.
PE, FO, gov't and industry orgs, please DM me on LinkedIn.

Multi-site Group Founders & CEOs

I've walked in these shows and have been doing strategic consulting and mentoring since 2016. Boosting cashflow, strategic growth, company structure, scaling, reshaping estate, M&A and disposals. Leadership effectiveness and life balance, too. Let's chat through your situation.

Business Managers & Ambitious Leaders

For 2026, to support multi-site group growth, I'm adding 'in-house' group coaching programs for GMs and other venue leaders (f&b, head chefs, events etc) focusing on leadership development, life-balance & wellbeing. Designed for business growth & leader retention.

Single-site/SB
Founders & GMs

You're building a single-site hospitality business or a small business supplying goods or services. This is a group mentoring program that supports you growing your business, building ebitda, developing a success strategy, gaining life balance and wellbeing wisdom.

Unprecedented Challenges

You're not alone. I speak with and help many successful leaders commonly facing these and other challenges too.

Record Business Failures

We've seen five years of record business failures. Whilst a lack of cashflow is what's recorded as the reason for companies closing, it's the symptom, not the real cause. In most cases, the companies haven't responded to changes in the trading environment by adapting and evolving, even transforming their strategies to get better results now and moving forward.

Record Leadership Burnout

In 2024, 94% of CEOs experienced burnout, 56% of leaders burnt out, and 43% of companies saw 50% of their leadership teams burn out. That's chaos. For the human beings involved as well as the companies. I burnt out a decade ago. It cost me millions and almost my life. I share my health & wellbeing strategies to help leaders thrive, not burnout.

Leaders Unclear What to Do Next

Leaders have more to deal with now than ever before. Many leaders are stuck, struggling to prioritise, sometimes just surviving, but often completely overwhelmed by how to move forward and what to do next to improve cashflow, boost profit and develop strategies & systems that work. Values are often confused. Visions aren't engaging. Teams aren't on board.

Lack of Meaning & Purpose

The trading environment has forced many leaders into a reactionary, short-term, tactical, cost-reducing focus. Purpose engages your people and your customers. Whether your purpose and meaning may come from one, more or all of people, place or planet-focused activities. Your purpose makes the difference that creates competitive advantage & profit.

BIO: David Carruthers

G'day, I'm David...

I love 'hospitality'. I've spent 40+ years involved in our wonderful ecosystem. I've enjoyed a corporate career working in large multi-site groups, followed by 12 years as a founder, building my own group. I've also enjoyed the support of my peers as chair of two industry associations.

I'm an entrepreneurial strategist, strong innovator and systems thinker, with wellbeing wisdom.

Since 2016, I've been living vicariously through other CEOs and founders, helping them get success, balance & thrive.

Follow my posts on LinkedIn and/or DM if you'd like to chat about specific challenges you're facing right now.

The Hospitality Ecosystem

I believe this ecosystem has the power to make the world a better place.
Leaders who are thriving, not just surviving, will make their difference.
I make my difference by helping those leaders thrive.

PUBS

RESTAURANTS

CAFES

HOTELS

RESORTS

CRUISE SHIPS

ECOTOURISM

AGRITOURISM

DEEP & SLOW TRAVEL

VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

WELLNESS CENTRES

DESTINATIONS

SUPPLIERS

B2B SERVICES

CONSULTANTS

industry associations

educational & training

municipal governments

My Big Promise

If you're a hospitality leader who wants to make a difference, you'll get me in your corner, helping you achieve sustainable success, and truly thrive.

Strategic
Clarity

I'll help you get absolute strategic clarity around your current situation and what you want to accomplish and achieve over the next 3 → 12 months

Leadership with Humanity

I'll help you be the best version of you, focusing on strategic leadership, emotional intelligence, values and engaging your team for success

Life Balance & Wellbeing

I'll help you (and your team) get greater balance in life, focusing on your health & wellbeing, so you have more energy to enjoy living life at a deeper level

Regenerative
Approaches

I'll help you develop an approach to building your business as if people, places and planet matter, which creates competitive advantage

My Transformation Process

I work with leaders who want a different future outcome than the one they're currently experiencing.
I'm your Sherpa, guiding you to the summit, helping you lighten your load along the journey.

Clarity →

First, we get strategic clarity in both your current situation and where you want to get to within 3 → 12 months' time, in your business, career and life.

Focus →

Next, we identify strategic options to reach your desired outcomes and evaluate the possibilities to choose one strategy. Importantly, we also cut out all the noise.

Traction

Finally, we go on the journey of transformation. Making decisions. Taking action. Changing habits. Tweaking strategies. Growing throughout.

Let's Deal with the easy questions here

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Who do you work with?

I work with founders, CEOs & execs, Investors: PE firms, family offices:
New for 2026, I'm adding in-house group mentoring programs for GM & management cohorts

Question 2: What services do you offer?

I offer mentoring and strategic advisory services, designed to help businesses and brands perform better, faster.

Question 3: How do I find out more information?

Check out this website, or my LinkedIn profile. When you're ready, simply DM me on LinkedIn and let's chat.

Question 4: What's the investment to work with you DC?

I have different programs for different-sized businesses and leadership development budgets. Let's work out what you want to achieve and the level of return you'll get working with me, and I'll recommend the best program for you.

Question 5: Do I have to care about people, place and planet?

You're on the dark side. I'd like to bring you into the light, where you can make your difference. If you only want to maximise profit, and aren't interested in your people, places and planet, there are people who will take your money

TESTIMONIALS

What clients have said...

"provided strategic advice"

"If you're looking for a strategic partner to help navigate your future in the hospitality industry, speak to David"

Greg M.- C-Suite

"helped save my business"

"I found his wealth of leadership, strategy and wellbeing experience priceless. He helped me survive..."

Eva M. - Founder

"feeling 100% inspired"

"I've just done David's group program & have gained SO much! Feeling motivated & focused on what's important to me."

Amanda P. - Manager

Future of Hospitality Substack Newsletter

Future of Hospitality is my legacy project. It's a tribe of industry leaders who care about what the future holds and are also interested in how our broader industry ecosystem can evolve as if people, places and planet actually matter. Subscribe and join the tribe and the journey.aragraph Font

SUBSCRIBEto my Substack

Let's Chat About
You Working With Me

Let's have a chat about the challenges you're currently facing and what you'd really like to achieve and accomplish. If we both feel like we'd like to work together, then I'll explain how we can do that and get you moving within 7 days. There are different options for different-sized businesses and levels of intensity. DM me inside LinkedIn.

DM Meon LinkedIn