Siobhan Edwards, CEO of Lanarkshire’s Lisini Pub Company is celebrating 20 years with the family business, marking a significant personal milestone during one of the most successful periods in the company’s history.
Having joined the business as a kitchen porter at just 13 years old, Siobhan has since spent two decades helping shape Lisini into one of Scotland’s most respected independent hospitality operators.
Today, she leads the Lanarkshire-based family business as CEO, working alongside 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.
Following the loss of her parents and sister Lisa, all of whom played pivotal roles in the growth and success of the company, Siobhan stepped into the role of CEO in July 2025 with a mission to keep the Hood family’s values of quality, service, staff care and community at the forefront, despite the challenging economic backdrop for the industry.
In that role she is supported by the senior team of Nicky, Grant and commercial director Lynda McGaw, who has been with the company for 22 years.
Siobhan’s career anniversary comes during a landmark year for Lisini, as the company has been named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 list, becoming one of only five Scottish organisations featured in the prestigious Best Big Places to Work category.
Lisini employs more than 300 people across its portfolio, with 22% of them having been with the company for more than 10 years.
Results from the Best Places to Work survey revealed an employee engagement score of 75%, while 74% of team members expressed confidence in management – significantly above the hospitality sector average of 38%.
This year Lisini has also been awarded the Wellness Charter by Hospitality Health in recognition of its commitment to employee wellbeing.
Alongside that, four of the group’s venues have been recognised 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.
Siobhan 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,`’ she said.
“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.”
Head of HR at Lisini, Heather Crawford, said: “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.
“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,” said Crawford.
“We’ve always believed that creating great hospitality starts with creating great teams, where people feel valued, respected, and encouraged to grow.
“Congratulations to Siobhan on her 20th anniversary with Lisini,” she added. “Through her leadership and commitment to our people, she has helped nurture a culture that feels like an extension of the family business itself – one where every colleague feels welcomed, supported and valued.”
