The Collective
A curated ecosystem shaping the future of independent hospitality.
Independent hospitality has always needed one place where the right people can come together. Not a marketplace. Not another directory. Not a trade body.
The Collective is that place. A movement built on belonging, high standards and shared purpose.
Membership is by invitation only. We invite organisations who align, contribute and support – not those who simply want access.
Why The Collective Exists
A movement built on belonging, clarity and high standards.
Independent hospitality deserves better support than it has ever been given. Operators are overwhelmed, working flat out, and trying to navigate a landscape that never stops shifting.
They deserve:
trusted experts
aligned partners
support without agenda
one place for clarity, learning and belonging
The Collective exists to create this ecosystem.
It is grounded in the Five Pillars of Kith & Kin:
Set High Standards – lead with care, consistency and intention
Stand Out – build meaningful distinction in a noisy market
Define Your Identity – be clear on who you are, who you serve and why you exist
Build Belonging – create emotional connection, loyalty and trust
Tell a Great Story – communicate in a way that feels human and real
Every organisation in The Collective strengthens one or more of these pillars for independent hospitality.
Who The Collective Is For
The Collective brings together three types of organisations, each playing a different but essential role in strengthening the sector:
organisations who support the sector at scale
experts who work closely with operators
strategic partners who want to champion independent hospitality for the long term
This is an ecosystem, not a list. Every member is chosen for fit, not volume.
What You’ll Find Inside
Premium Collective Partners
For strategic suppliers with national or regional influence
Premium Collective Partners are organisations with both reach and responsibility. They want to stand visibly beside independent hospitality, not just sell into it.
Premium Partners:
champion independent operators at a national or regional level
support the long-term growth of the movement
align their brand with the values of belonging and high standards
bring resources, insight and stability into the ecosystem
In return, Premium Partners receive strategic visibility, category exclusivity, involvement in Kith & Kin events and the opportunity to invite their operator networks into the community in a way that feels respectful and operator-first.
A small number of major organisations are already exploring strategic partnership with Kith & Kin. We are now inviting only a limited number of aligned suppliers into this early chapter.
Request an invitation
Associate Members
For trade bodies, charities and sector-supporting organisations
Associate Membership is for organisations whose primary purpose is to support hospitality rather than sell to it.
Associates:
widen access to support and resources
advocate for the sector’s wellbeing and resilience
bring insight from their communities into the conversation
align their cause with the independent hospitality movement
Inside The Collective, Associate Members participate in relevant discussions, invite operators into the community and contribute resources where it helps. They hold a non-commercial role, which protects trust and balance for operators.
Request an invitation
Contributing Collective Members
For freelancers, consultants and micro-businesses who support operators through expertise.
Contributing Collective Members are the specialists with lived experience of hospitality. They understand operators because they have worked beside them. They want to support, not sell.
Contributing Members:
enrich operator discussions with grounded expertise
offer practical advice and perspective
help operators gain clarity, confidence and direction
contribute to a positive, constructive learning environment
Visibility in this tier is earned through contribution, not promotion. Members are carefully selected and numbers are deliberately limited to keep the space curated and useful.
“Cassie has always had a talent for creating space — not just physical space, but emotional space, where people can connect, grow, and dream a little bigger. ”
How The Collective Works
The Collective sits within the wider Kith & Kin Community – a curated, operator-first space for independent hospitality leaders.
Operators join by invitation. Inside, they find:
honest, constructive conversations
support from people who understand the reality of the work
learning shaped by the Five Pillars
a sense of belonging they often do not find elsewhere
Members of The Collective bring:
expertise and resources
sector insight and lived experience
care for operator wellbeing
a shared commitment to raising standards
The tone is consistent:
no moaning
no noise
no aggressive selling
no competition for attention
Just support, clarity and progress for the people at the heart of the industry.
Why Organisations Join The Collective
Alignment. Influence. Belonging.
Most suppliers and experts spend years trying to earn trust with operators and still feel like they are shouting into the void.
The Collective changes that.
Organisations join because they want to:
align with a movement that puts operators first
be seen as supporters, not just suppliers
demonstrate their expertise in a trusted environment
stand alongside other respected organisations
build long-term, values-led visibility
be part of the place operators turn to when they need support
contribute to something bigger than their own brand
This is not sponsorship. It is not an advertising slot. It is not a quick way to generate leads.
It is a choice to stand for the future of independent hospitality and to be recognised by operators as part of that future.
Invitation-Only Membership
The Collective is built on alignment, not volume.
We invite:
organisations who genuinely care about independent hospitality
experts who contribute with humility and generosity
partners who are prepared to support the sector long-term
leaders who understand the power of belonging
We decline:
organisations looking for quick access to operators
anyone who sees this primarily as a sales channel
businesses who do not match the culture or values of Kith & Kin
Every conversation starts from a simple question:
Do we belong in the same room, working towards the same future for independent hospitality?
If the answer is no, we will say so clearly and kindly.
If it is yes, we will invite you into the movement.
If You Believe Your Organisation Belongs Here
If you recognise your organisation in what you have read – and you can see the role you might play in supporting independent hospitality – the next step is simple.
We offer a short, focused conversation with Cassie to explore alignment. It is not a pitch. It is a chance to understand whether this is the right chapter for us to write together.
If it is, you will be invited to join The Collective.
If it is not, you will leave with clarity and no pressure.