Leadership series: Jon Hendry Pickup

In this episode of the CORE Leadership Series with Jon Hendry-Pickup, CEO of Butlin's, we explore his fascinating career journey spanning supermarkets, budget hotels, casual dining, and leading the massive management buyout of the UK’s most iconic holiday resort brand. 

We dive deep into how he is executing a £150 million capital investment strategy, the unique positioning of Butlin's in the changing staycation market, and what it takes to build operational resilience through industry turbulence. 

Jon also opens up about his people-first leadership philosophy, achieving industry-leading employee retention and working with amazing people, his purpose-driven work with the digital charity Pennies, and his vision for reshaping how the hospitality and leisure sector is perceived by government and future talent.

About Butlin’s: the business was founded in 1936 by Billy Butlin with the simple mission of providing affordable, all-inclusive entertainment for British families. Today, Butlin's is one of the UK’s most enduring and iconic holiday resort brands. Pioneered at their original location in Skegness, Lincolnshire, the concept famously introduced the nations to the concept of the 'holiday camp' and birthed the legendary, smartly uniformed Redcoats who continue to drive its high-energy guest experience. Nowadays, they welcome around 1.5 million guests every year across three massive coastal resorts: Skegness, Minehead, and Bognor Regis. Supported by a sweeping £150 million multi-year capital investment strategy under its management team, the modern face of Butlin’s continues to bridge the gap between historic British staycation nostalgia and state-of-the-art family entertainment complexes