Court Williams

Qualifications

Court Williams is Chief Executive Officer of HVS Executive Search based in New York and has over 29 years of retained Hospitality Executive Search experience within the Hotel, Restaurant, and Travel/Leisure industries. He began his career in the restaurant industry after graduating from Cornell’s Hotel School gaining operational experience prior to launching a career track in Human Resources with an international restaurant company. Having gained experience in executive recruitment from the brand side, the desire to work with a broader range of hospitality clients led Court to a career in retained executive search beginning in 1990. Court has expertise in leading senior hospitality executive searches across all functional areas including Board Director, CEO, Operations, Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, Development, Culinary and Supply Chain. His client base includes private equity firms, hotel management companies, restaurant companies, travel technology brands and leisure venues. Court also leads the global growth strategy for HVS Executive Search and is on the Advisory Board of Shift One. He remains an active Cornell alumnus and is a student coach with Cornell University’s Hospitality Leadership Development Institute, as well as The Samuel Curtis Johnson School of Management’s MBA Marketing program. Court earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University.

Press Coverage

How to Minimize the Cost of Emotional Labor, 2018

My Articles

Understanding the Resistance to Change Within the Hospitality Industry

What can change leaders do to overcome the resistance to change? Sheetal Singh, Ph.D. and Court Williams, CEO at HVS Executive Search address this question in their latest article in Hotel Business Review.

• April 3, 2019 By Sheetal Singh , Court Williams

Technology in the Hospitality Industry – Have We Gone Too Far?

With the advent of technology, many activities previously performed by live humans have been replaced by automated methods. Is it really an improvement, or has the industry gone too far?

• March 20, 2019 By Court Williams , Paul Savage

• Executive Search & Recruitment

How to Minimize the Cost of Emotional Labor

This article highlights the costs of hotel employees managing their emotions for work or emotional labor. We share practical advice on what hotel managers can do to reduce the emotional exhaustion and burnout resulting from emotional labor.

• May 2, 2018 By Sheetal Singh , Court Williams

F&B: Which Is More Profitable – Outsourcing or In-House?

Hotel Food and Beverage (F&B) operations increased in revenue value by 4.9% during 2017, according to a report from STR.

• April 9, 2018 By Court Williams

• Executive Search & Recruitment

The Growing Use of Technology and Robotics in Food Service

The food service industry continues to have growing concerns over rising labor costs and food safety. Robotics technology in the food service industry has never been more relevant to address both issues.

• April 3, 2018 By Court Williams

• Executive Search & Recruitment

Differentiating Lifestyle Hotel Brands in an Increasingly Competitive Category

Lifestyle hotel brands have realized that local experiences is a key factor in the popularity of Lifestyle Hotels. So, what is the future for the lifestyle hotel concept? I believe it’s a mix of personalization, with a healthy dose of technology.

• December 5, 2017 By Court Williams

• Hotel Operations , Travel & Tourism , Architecture & Interior Design , Hotel Brands

The Future of Casual Dining: What to Expect

The casual dining industry is losing market share as the popularity of Fast Casual, Quick Service and Fine Dining restaurant continue to grow revenue and consumer interest.

• November 7, 2017 By Court Williams

• Executive Search & Recruitment