About Us

About Us


Introducing HGEM

Our Story

Software with a Service

HGEM has been a pioneer for over 20 years. In 2003, we were the first to use the term ‘mystery dining’ as a specialist form of mystery shopping. It reflected the deeper and longer experiences that are typical in hospitality, as compared with retail. Hot on the heels of the dot.com explosion, we were the first to use the internet to provide next-day reporting.

Fast forward to the mid-2010's, and there are many more ways to gain insights from guests from surveys and reviews. We embraced these and were the first to use the term ‘Guest Experience Management’ (GEM). Our mission was to establish this as a core business discipline for hospitality businesses and to be the best source of expertise and tools. That mission has been achieved.

Now, in the mid-2020s, HGEM's award-winning platform, The Hub, is used by tens of thousands of venues, large and small. Guest Experience Managers with operations and marketing roles use it to engage with guests and gain insights that help them to grow sales.

But our growth is not just fueled by our amazing software. Because working in partnership with our clients comes as standard. We act as an extension to your team, interested in your strategy and playing our part to help you achieve it. It's how we learn and innovate. Many of our team have had careers in hospitality, so we understand the terminology and the challenges. We call this 'Software with a Service' and you won't find it anywhere else.

Let's see what we can achieve together!


Come and meet our team...

Steven Pike

Steven Pike

Managing Director

It's really important to me that we put our clients in the driving seat and coordinate all our resources in pursuit of your objectives.

Keit Vende

Keit Vende

Head of Sales & Marketing

I wish I had tools like The Hub when I helped manage a bar 10 years ago. My mission now is to get the word out there about how hospitality tech can help.

Sari Fenne

Sari Fenne

Mystery Guest Advisor

I really enjoy reading about all the different places our diners get to visit and feel lucky to be working in such a supportive friendly team.

Lucy Marshall

Lucy Marshall

Client Success Manager

I really enjoy working alongside a wide variety of clients & love helping them track and improve their overall guest experience.

Elliott Ellis

Elliott Ellis

Support Coordinator

It is so nice to work for such a friendly and welcoming company, where everyone is listened to and encouraged. Every day is something different and I am learning all the time.

Justine Walker

Justine Walker

Assessor Resource Coordinator

I’m so lucky to work for such an aspiring, growing company. My role allows me to forge new relationships and nurture old ones.

Charlotte Carr

Charlotte Carr

Mystery Guest Advisor

It’s great to be working in such a varied role and be part of a hardworking, supportive team.

Joanna Habgood

Joanna Habgood

Mystery Guest Advisor

I love how helpful and supportive the rest of the team are.

Bethany Prior

Bethany Prior

Marketing Manager

I have a passion for all things marketing & love to create content. I am so happy that I get to do this at HGEM alongside such a lovely team.

Annabelle Simons

Annabelle Simons

Mystery Guest Advisor

It’s fun to get an insight into people’s lives through their dining experiences and be a part of improving the dining world.

Graziella Whitehouse

Graziella Whitehouse

Mystery Guest Advisor

I enjoy reading all about different dining experiences and still be part of the hospitality world. A huge bonus is that I work with a wonderful, supportive team.

Ash Sharpe

Ash Sharpe

Head of Insights

I enjoy partnering with clients to support and elevate them to the best they can be through the ownership of their guests experience.

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Our Mystery Guests

At HGEM we are fortunate to have a fantastic community of mystery guests that we try hard to nurture and support as stakeholders in 'empowering hospitality'. In return, they go the extra mile to provide detailed and practical feedback on their experiences. If you are interested in becoming one of our mystery guests, please go to mysterydining.net.

Learn more about what we do