University of Strathclyde Business School and HIT Scotland Unveil New Executive Finance Programme for Hospitality Leaders
Dr Mark Johnson, Teaching Fellow – Accounting and Finance at University of Strathclyde Business School
Financial Management for Hospitality Decision Makers
Date: 19th & 20th May 2026
Location: Barclays Campus / Blythswood Hotel, Glasgow
Closing Date: Monday 27th April 2026
The UK hospitality sector is being urged to strengthen financial capability at leadership level, as HIT Scotland and University of Strathclyde Business School unveil a new two-day Executive & Leadership programme designed specifically for operational business leaders working across the Scottish Hospitality & Tourism sector who don’t have a traditional finance background.
With rising costs, ongoing margin pressure and an increasingly complex trading environment, financial management control is no longer confined to finance teams.
Hospitality leaders, particularly those who have worked their way up through the ranks with little or no finance training, often lack the confidence and practical skills required to fully interpret financial data and use it to drive business performance.
However HIT Scotland’s new programme, Financial Management for Hospitality Decision Makers, has been developed to address this growing gap, drawing on the academic excellence of Strathclyde Business School’s internationally recognised MBA programme.
The first programme will take place in Glasgow on 19th and 20th May 2026, and has been designed for departmental managers, operational leaders, functional heads, small business owners and aspiring senior leaders. The two-day programme is tailored specifically for those without a formal finance background, but who are responsible for the day-to-day development and management of budgets, financial performance and / or commercial outcomes.
A second programme has also been developed, being delivered on 9th and 10th June 2026, that is aimed at senior executive roles, moving beyond operational financial decision making to focus on sources of funding, capital budgeting (investment appraisal), mergers and acquisitions and financial governance. Applications for both programmes are now open.
Dave Allen, Programme Director at HIT Scotland, who is responsible for the delivery of the organisation’s Executive and Leadership programmes, said:
“Accounting and financial management sit at the heart of day-to-day hospitality decision-making, from understanding costs and managing budgets to improving profitability and long-term sustainability.
“These programmes, developed in partnership with Strathclyde Business School, provide a practical, applied framework to help participants confidently interpret financial information, challenge assumptions and make informed, strategically aligned decisions that enhance operational performance.
“Through a combination of expert-led teaching and real-world hospitality application, participants will develop an understanding of core financial concepts including profit and loss, balance sheets and cash flow, alongside the ability to analyse financial performance through profitability, liquidity and efficiency measures.”
The Financial Management for Hospitality Decision Makers programme is designed for professionals who hold responsibility for financial planning or commercial performance, have operational experience but limited formal financial training, and are seeking to strengthen their ability to interpret financial data and make more confident, data-informed decisions.
No prior finance qualification is required, with the emphasis placed on practical understanding and real-world application.
Dr Mark Johnson, Teaching Fellow – Accounting and Finance at University of Strathclyde Business School, said:
“Financial literacy is now an essential leadership capability across hospitality. Managers are making decisions every day that directly impact profitability, yet many have never been formally trained in how to interpret or apply financial data.
“This programme has been designed to demystify finance and give hospitality leaders the tools, frameworks and confidence they need to understand performance, challenge assumptions and drive stronger commercial outcomes.
“It’s not about turning managers into accountants – it’s about enabling better, more informed decision-making across the business.”
The course forms part of HIT Scotland’s Executive Leadership Programme and University of Strathclyde Business School’s executive education portfolio, which focuses on delivering practical, industry-relevant learning that can be immediately applied in the workplace.
With places limited and demand for HIT Scotland’s new Executive & Leadership programmes high, hospitality professionals are encouraged to apply early ahead of the 27th April deadline.
For further information and application details, please visit https://hitscotland.co.uk/financial-leaders-programme.
