Challenger Chats Episode #1 with Charlie Gilkes, Co-Founder of Inception Group

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In this first episode of Challenger Chats our host Adam Spencer is joined by Charlie Gilkes. Charlie is the co-founder of Inception Group, an award-winning operator of several iconic eating and drinking out brands including Mr Fogg’s, Bunga Bunga, Cahoots, as well as London’s first speakeasy Barts, and the infamous 80s themed nightclub Maggie’s.

In this fascinating conversation we talk about Charlie’s entrepreneurial journey, the ups and downs of working with a co-founder, the strategy of creating a multi-brand business, keeping themes fresh and relevant to an evolving customer, what “experiential” really means and his optimism for the future of hospitality as the social fabric of society. He also gives us his take on who he’d like to see make a guest appearance on the next series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

Links:

Inception Group: www.inception-group.com

Instagram

Charlie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliegilkes/

Fogg’s: https://www.instagram.com/mrfoggsgb/

Cahoots: https://www.instagram.com/cahootslondon/

Maggie’s: https://www.instagram.com/maggies_club/

Bunga Bunga: https://www.instagram.com/bungabungaldn/

Barts: https://www.instagram.com/bartslondon/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/charliegilkes

Charlie’s go-to karaoke song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04wofd-rZtE

Twitter Mentions

@charliegilkes