SAVVY Collective, the Chester-founded hospitality group working with owner-led hotels, leisure and lifestyle ventures, has become a Patron Member of the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce.
The move deepens the company’s commitment to the region where the business began. As a Patron Member, SAVVY Collective will work alongside the Chamber to support initiatives that drive investment, develop skills and champion opportunities across West Cheshire and North Wales, with a particular focus on the visitor economy.
The patronage marks another milestone for SAVVY Collective’s founder and CEO Steven Hesketh, who has spent more than 30 years in the hospitality sector spanning accommodation, food and beverage and large-scale event delivery. He started out cleaning windows at a timeshare resort aged 15, working his way up through senior hotel management roles.
He’s now built SAVVY Collective into a powerhouse, growing it from a single hotel operation into a diversified group, and to some has become known across the sector as “the Hospitality Hero.” through the Educational work he does with Schools, including his children’s book “Bee Our Guest”, an Amazon Top 10.
Steven’s portfolio now spans hotels including The Chester Townhouse and Hotel Wrexham; venues including The Annex, The Old Registry, The Savvy Fox and Queens Square Social; and events including DevaFest and the Cheshire and North Wales Food and Drink Festival. He is known for his focus on delivery and experience, and for championing the practical skills, training, communication and work ethic he believes the industry requires.
Commenting on the new Patronage, Steven said: “This region is where SAVVY Collective started, and it’s where we intend to keep investing for years to come.
“What strikes me about the Chamber’s roadmap is how closely its Vision 2026 programme mirrors our own thinking. Skills and recruitment are a live issue for every hospitality and events business in this region, and through our education arm we want to help build a stronger talent pipeline, not just draw from one. The same goes for infrastructure and connectivity. If West Cheshire and North Wales are going to compete as a visitor and business destination, we need transport links and digital infrastructure that match our ambition, and we want our voice in that conversation.
“There are genuinely huge opportunities in this region right now, in hospitality, events, tourism and the wider visitor economy, and we don’t think they’re being talked about loudly enough. We’re looking forward to working alongside the Chamber and fellow Patrons to help this region achieve everything it’s capable of.”
Sarah Bailey, CEO of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome SAVVY Collective as our newest Patron Member. Their hands-on experience, entrepreneurial approach and commitment to supporting hospitality businesses make them a fantastic addition to our Patron network.
“Hospitality, tourism and the wider visitor economy are vital to the success of our region, and it’s encouraging to welcome a business that shares our ambition to see those sectors flourish.”
The patronage lands as the North West hotel market gathers pace, giving SAVVY Collective’s regional focus fresh weight. UK hotel transaction volumes reached £1.6 billion in Q1 2026, more than double the same period in 2025, with owner-operators and private investors accounting for 89 per cent of buyer volume. Chester itself recorded a two per cent rise in new licensed venues, the strongest performance of any North West city and second only to Newcastle nationally.
SAVVY Collective is an operator-led hospitality business combining real-world ownership experience with specialist expertise. It provides practical support across five service lines: Management, Consultancy, Education, Events and Investment, designed to strengthen people, performance, place, product and profitability for hospitality businesses.
SAVVY Management gives independent hotels full operating platform support, covering commercial performance, people-first leadership and financial discipline, while keeping owners in control.
SAVVY Consultancy ranges from three-day operational health checks to long-term strategic partnerships and pre-opening support.
SAVVY Education develops hospitality talent through industry-led programmes, including the Bee Our Guest initiative, which now reaches young readers in Wales as well as England.
SAVVY Investment offers agile capital solutions from cash flow support to bridge funding and asset protection.
SAVVY Events runs hospitality-led experiences across the region, from family-friendly festivals to food and drink showcases, bringing thousands of visitors together each year.