Lisini Pub Company CEO Siobhan Edwards is celebrating 20 years with the family business, marking a major personal milestone during one of the most successful periods in the company’s history.
Having first joined as a kitchen porter at just 13 years old, Edwards has spent two decades helping shape Lisini into one of Scotland’s most respected independent hospitality operators. Today, she leads the Lanarkshire-based group as CEO, working alongside her brother Nicholas Hood and cousin Grant Hood to continue the legacy established by her parents, Kathleen and Harry Hood, who founded the company in 1969.
Edwards stepped into the CEO role in July 2025, taking the helm during a challenging period for the hospitality sector. Her leadership has focused on maintaining the Hood family’s core values of quality, service, staff care and community while guiding the business into its next phase.
Her anniversary coincides with a landmark year for Lisini, which employs more than 300 people across its portfolio. The company has been named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 list, one of only five Scottish organisations recognised in the Best Big Places to Work category.
The accolade reflects a long-standing workplace culture, with 22% of Lisini’s workforce having been with the company for more than a decade. Survey results showed an employee engagement score of 75%, while 74% of team members expressed confidence in management – well above the hospitality sector average of 38%.
The milestone carries added emotional weight following the loss of Edwards’ parents and sister Lisa, all of whom played key roles in building the business. Supported by her senior leadership team, including Nicholas Hood, Grant Hood and Commercial Director Lynda McGaw – who has been with the company for 22 years—Edwards has remained focused on preserving the family ethos at the heart of Lisini.
Alongside its inclusion in The Sunday Times list, the group has also been awarded the Wellness Charter by Hospitality Health, recognising its commitment to employee wellbeing. Four of its venues were also honoured at the Best Bar None Awards, including Angels Hotel in Uddingston, which received a Highly Commended award in the Heart of the Community category and achieved Diamond status nationally.
Edwards said: “Twenty years has gone by incredibly quickly. I started out as a kitchen porter when I was just a teenager because my parents believed it was important for us to understand every aspect of the business from the ground up, even at an early age.
“Over the years I’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredible people who care deeply about our guests, our communities and each other. That sense of family remains at the heart of everything we do.
“Having spent two decades with the company, I have seen first-hand that our greatest strength has always been our people. Creating a supportive workplace where colleagues feel valued, respected and able to thrive has always been a priority for us, so to be recognised by The Sunday Times and through our recent industry awards is incredibly special. These achievements belong to the entire team.”
Heather Crawford, Head of HR at Lisini, added: “While assessing and benchmarking our company culture, we reviewed many different frameworks and approaches. Ultimately, we set our sights high, believing we could aim for recognition such as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work.
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“I’m so proud of Lisini being officially recognised. People are at the heart of everything we do, and this award reflects the supportive and welcoming culture across all of our venues.
“We’ve always believed that creating great hospitality starts with creating great teams, where people feel valued, respected, and encouraged to grow.
“Congratulations on the 20th anniversary. Through strong leadership and commitment to our people, a culture has been nurtured that feels like an extension of the family business itself – one where every colleague feels welcomed, supported and valued.”
