Book Now

Hawksmoor CEO: I believe in 'casual professionals'

Will Beckett, co-founder and CEO of Hawksmoor restaurants, shares his personal business advice

Will Beckett and his business partner Huw Gott opened their first Hawksmoor restaurant in London in 2006. It specialises in steaks, with a British twist.

It now has 10 restaurants in the UK, one in Ireland and two in the US, and the business turned over £90m last year. Recently it announced plans to sell the business in order to support its international growth ambitions.

Beckett explains why he believes in the idea of the 'casual professional', preferring not to have a strict dress code for staff and allowing them to bring their 'authentic selves' to work.

More like this

"I actually don't want to grow": The 800% surge that nearly broke Nadine Merabi's brand

From answering the phones under a fake name to building a board a decade in, Nadine Merabi shares the lessons behind scaling her brand

Listen Here

Author

Dougal Shaw

Date

01 July 2026

Blue Light Card's growth story: From start-up to 6 million members

How a discount platform for frontline workers became a fast-scaling commercial success without abandoning its mission

Listen Here

Author

Dougal Shaw

Date

23 June 2026

Little Moons: The overnight success that took 10 years

Founder Vivien Wong reveals the difference between riding a wave of sudden demand and being swept away by it

Listen Here

Author

Dougal Shaw

Date

16 June 2026

The pivot that saved Vinted

In his first-ever podcast interview, marketplace CEO Adam Jay explains how a single counterintuitive decision turned a failing start-up into a €8bn powerhouse

Listen Here

Author

Dougal Shaw

Date

09 June 2026

How one founder is using AI to land a knockout business opportunity

What began as a boxing apparel brand is now becoming a lesson in how founders can use AI to unlock new growth

Read Article

Author

Dougal Shaw

Date

04 June 2026