We collaborate with clients to unlock growth, strengthen culture, and shape progressive business models that deliver lasting results.

What we do

These have been challenging times, asking new questions of every business, leader and organisation. It is hard to know who one can turn to for objective trustworthy advice. At the same time, all evidence points towards customers and consumers seeking stronger experiences and higher service levels.

How can progressive business models be evolved to meet these new demands and still be effective? How will the market and services evolve?

Creative Spaces is a new, progressive consultancy that brings a wide depth of authentic, proven expertise to support clients in this modern era. The Principals come from different backgrounds but all have been responsible for financial and business performance, customer engagement, and growth. Furthermore, the consultancy boasts a Knowledge Hub that brings together proven leaders with real diverse industry experience. There are few situations that we have not encountered or faced. We understand the demands of leadership and the need for sound decision making and openness.

Clients want support of sound insights, bold thinking, real impact and the courage to be different. What sets us apart is the varied markets we originate from enabling us to work together to build evidence, perspective and solutions. Business is finding it harder to challenge its margins, instead, it must challenge its commercial model, through a range of lenses - Culture, Physical Product, Engagement, Service and Operations.

Founding Partners

The Founding Partners, are both long-time friends and a proven team of hospitality professionals, complementing each other, having very different backgrounds. A diverse range of knowledge and experience, brings both depth and breadth through their collective years, having navigated multiple financial crashes, wars, governments, and the drama it brings to the boardroom. Their trusted insight and safe hands, allows thoughtful thinking to explore opportunities and engagement with clients in hospitality and other broader industries. Differentiation in a crowded world of consultancy, brings true value to our clients.

Chris Sheppardson

Chris has, over the last twenty-five years, built one of the leading thought-leadership communicators within hospitality that has worked with the leading figures and companies of the era. He has led one of the UK’s leading recruitment companies as well as championed many progressive initiatives over the years.
Chris is regarded as one of the industry’s best networked and connected with leading players across industry as well as being one of the most progressive thinkers. Chris is retained by a number of the leading outsource companies in the sector to support on strategy, engagement and comms.
Chris is a trustee on a number of charitable organisations, a published author, and regular lecturer at leading hotel schools across Europe.
Judith Davidson

Judith was one of the first female executives to break the glass ceiling and reach board level in a leading UK corporate. She built her operational and functional management career in food service and facilities management before moving into financial services, where she became a highly effective COO. She led strategic planning across nine operating divisions and delivered major projects including a business turnaround strategy, a purchasing efficiency programme, and SAP implementation with external consultants.
As COO she oversaw service delivery, technology (including cyber security and software development) and business resilience, while serving as a board director during a successful IPO.
Judith has advised financial services and hospitality organisations on acquisitions, operating models and operational effectiveness, and has served as a NED across hospitality, charitable and corporate boards.
Niels Sherry

Niels has been one of London’s foremost hoteliers over the last twenty years having worked with both leading hospitality entrepreneurs and corporates. C Suite & General Management Hospitality Specialist in the UK and internationally, with a diverse and exciting range of opening and operating experience in; Luxury & Boutique Hotels, Private Members Clubs. Understanding the challenges of business, culture, and place. Cultivating the nuances that create memorable experiences for the guests but importantly creating teams that enjoying making them.
An entrepreneurial focus, passion and enthusiasm embracing the cultural DNA of a business, maximizing the potential of the business, the product, brand creation, growing revenues and profitability; driven to achieve above industry results; also implementing a superior corporate infrastructure that supports the field.