An operator’s voice.A national perspective.
Commentary, interviews, podcasts and speaking on the future of British pubs, hospitality technology and operational leadership.
Short biography.
Joshua Matheson is a pub operator and hospitality consultant specialising in the future of pubs, operational innovation and technology. Known as Josh the Pub Guy, he brings a working operator’s perspective to the UK hospitality industry. Through JM Pubs he operates Ye Olde Red Horse in Evesham and The Crown Inn in Peopleton.
Long biography.
Joshua Matheson is a pub operator and hospitality consultant specialising in the future of pubs, operational innovation and technology. Known as Josh the Pub Guy, he brings a working operator’s perspective to the UK hospitality industry.
Joshua Matheson’s hospitality career spans bar and café management, venue launches, self-employed pub operation and area support coaching. From June 2019 to February 2026 he worked as a self-employed operator and Area Support Coach within Marston’s, alongside building his independent consultancy from February 2024.
His experience covers tied, partnership, free-of-tie, independent and managed models. He has served as DPS at more than 12 sites and reports supporting more than 200 venues. The Pillar of Salt is a flagship example of his operational turnaround work.
Joshua is a Fellow of the British Institute of Innkeeping and a member of the Institute of Licensing. He is a Brainz Magazine Executive Contributor and the author of Pubs: The New Era. His published thinking explores hospitality innovation, digital transformation and the future of the British pub. He continues to operate through JM Pubs while developing practical technology ideas, including JM Pubs Hub, which remains in development.
Speaking and commentary themes.
The future of the British pub
Community relevance, changing guest expectations and business models that give pubs a reason to exist tomorrow.
Technology and AI in hospitality
Automate what wastes time. Invest in what guests actually feel. Useful systems should give teams more time for people.
Better pub operations and leadership
Commercial discipline, confident teams and operator autonomy, grounded in what happens on shift.
The Pub of 2030: Why Technology Should Make Hospitality More Human
Automate what guests do not value so teams can spend more time on what they do: a welcome, a conversation and a visit worth repeating.
A proposed keynote for operator, supplier and hospitality technology audiences. It connects practical automation with guest experience, commercial judgement and the responsibilities that must remain with people.
- Identify the admin that takes managers away from the floor.
- Choose technology around an operational problem, rather than a sales pitch.
- Measure time saved alongside service quality and the guest journey.
- Give teams clear ownership when systems change.
Keynote, panel, podcast and webinar formats can be discussed around the audience and brief.
Published industry thinking.
Brainz Magazine: exclusive interview with Joshua Matheson
Media and speaking enquiries.
For a current story, include the question, publication or programme, deadline and whether you need a written comment, interview or recorded contribution. Availability is confirmed for each request.
Send the topic, audience, format, location and deadline to josh@joshthepubguy.co.uk. Request an approved headshot and confirm biographical details for your publication when arranging the contribution.
Let’s talk about what comes next.
Interviews, panels, podcasts and speaking enquiries for Joshua Matheson.