Behind The House

Carol Evans started her hospitality career at 18, working every department of a hotel - from housekeeping, laundry and pot wash to reception, reservations, bar work, guest experience and management.

Six years later, she left as Assistant Manager.

That hands-on foundation led to a career spanning hospitality, healthcare, operations, business turnaround and growth. She went on to manage hotel renovations and extensions, build high-performing teams, turn around struggling businesses, lead multi-million-pound operations and secure government contracts that resulted in invitations to Downing Street, HM Treasury, St James's Palace and a speech at the House of Lords.

As Hospital Director for The Priory, Carol led business transformation projects, developed national growth initiatives and became known for her ability to see opportunities others missed.

She later secured a €16 million investment offer for a destination spa project in Ireland before founding her own consultancy business, helping owners build stronger, more profitable businesses.

For the past 16 years she has worked closely with an independent hotel group, recently helping reposition them from the crowded "messy middle" of coastal tourism into a category of their own through strategic direction, operational improvement and emotional visual storytelling. The result has included premium positioning, stronger guest loyalty, industry awards, national television exposure and the production of almost 100 films designed to help guests feel the experience before they book.

Today, Carol brings together commercial thinking, operational expertise, guest experience, positioning and creative direction through The Director's House. She doesn't look at hotels through a single lens. She looks at the whole picture.

Tim has spent more than two decades photographing and filming people, brands, places and stories.

His client list includes Volkswagen, Fairline Motoryachts, American Golf, Sony, Barbour, Thomson Holidays, the NHS and Bank of America, alongside editorial and advertising commissions throughout the UK and internationally.

A long-standing member of the AOP, Tim has won multiple industry awards and has served as both an AOP Judge and Committee Member. His work spans advertising, editorial, documentary and commercial photography, alongside an increasing focus on film-making and short-form documentary production.

What makes Tim particularly valuable to The Director's House is his ability to connect with people and capture the character of a place. Whether filming a hotel owner, a member of the team or a guest experience, he has a rare ability to put people at ease and reveal the story beneath the surface.

Over the past few years, Tim has helped create almost 100 films for independent hotels, alongside documentaries, interviews, event coverage and long-form content. His work has appeared on national television and has helped transform the way hotels communicate their experience before a guest ever arrives.

At The Director's House, Tim works closely with Carol to bring stories to life through photography, film, documentaries and legacy projects that help people feel a place before they've even stepped through the door.

John Evans has spent his career helping businesses understand not just where money is being spent, but where opportunity is being missed.

His hospitality experience includes playing a key role in the development of Sketchley Grange Hotel, helping support its growth from a family-owned property into a successful four-star hotel, leisure and conference destination.

Having held senior finance and commercial leadership roles across multiple sectors, John brings a practical, commercially minded approach to business performance.

At The Director's House, his focus is simple: Where is money being left on the table, and what can be done about it?

Tom Keen is an internationally experienced photographer and film maker whose work spans luxury hospitality, travel and premium brands.

Over the last two decades, his work has taken him across the globe, photographing hotels, destinations and people from Egypt to Ethiopia, Italy to the UAE, São Paulo to Sweden and Tokyo to Taiwan. Along the way he has been commissioned by some of the world's most exclusive wedding venues and luxury hotels, alongside a wide range of commercial and editorial clients.

Specialising in portraits, interiors and moving image, Tom has developed a reputation for capturing the atmosphere, character and sense of place that make destinations memorable. His work has been recognised through numerous industry awards, including AOP Open, Portrait of Britain, Shot Up North and Portrait of Humanity.

Today, Tom works with hospitality brands creating both photographic and video content designed to help guests feel the experience before they arrive.

Neil Starkey is an IT Technical Specialist and Business Manager known for his empathetic, supportive leadership and a strong history of Data Center lifecycle management.

His work spans over 20 years of corporate experience, with a background that blends network installation, database support, and seamless service implementation.

Neil combines people-focused management, technical expertise and a creative eye for dynamic digital content, designed to help projects cut through in an increasingly flooded market.