Accessible Hospitality Alliance (aha) has appointed Ashoak Lakhaney, Founder of Techality, to its Advisory Board, bringing a perspective shaped by more than three decades working across hospitality operations, food service, facilities management, and technology.
Lakhaney’s appointment strengthens the alliance’s growing ability to connect accessibility with the operational realities hospitality businesses face every day.
For many operators, accessibility conversations often begin with physical design, guest experience, and service delivery. Increasingly, however, technology plays a defining role in how hospitality is experienced by guests and colleagues alike, from booking journeys and communications to internal systems, workflows, and operational decision making.
Lakhaney brings a perspective grounded in both hospitality operations and technology implementation.
Having worked in kitchens, front of house, contract catering, facilities management, and technology leadership across five countries, he understands the pressures hospitality teams work under, the complexity of service environments, and the consequences when systems create friction rather than improve experience.
Ashoak Lakhaney said: “Reflecting on my 30+ years in hospitality, the industry for me has always been about people: customers, colleagues, and teams.
“All too often we have seen our industry treat inclusion and accessibility as a tick-box exercise. Why? It’s a commercial opportunity not a compliance task. It’s an opportunity to act and lead positive change.
“Joining the aha Advisory Board feels like a natural extension of that belief.
“I am excited to be appointed to the advisory board working alongside Denis and the aha team, and I look forward to making a difference.”
Accessible Hospitality Alliance exists to help shape a hospitality world that welcomes everyone. As hospitality becomes increasingly reliant on digital systems and technology-enabled service, accessibility can no longer be viewed solely through the lens of physical spaces.
Technology that excludes guests, frustrates colleagues, or creates unintended barriers is equally part of the accessibility conversation.
Lakhaney founded Techality in 2023 to help hospitality, food service, and facilities management businesses make better technology decisions through a practical, human-first approach rooted in operational understanding rather than product sales.
His appointment reflects aha’s belief that improving accessibility requires perspectives that extend beyond traditional accessibility conversations and into the wider operational decisions that shape hospitality experiences.
Denis Sheehan, Managing Director of Accessible Hospitality Alliance, said: “Having known Ash for a number of years, the diligence he brings to the board, and not only in technology, is a huge asset we are delighted to welcome. We look forward to working constructively with Ash and bringing his experience to everything we do.”
The Accessible Hospitality Alliance Advisory Board brings together leaders whose experience helps inform the alliance’s direction, thinking, and ability to help hospitality operators make practical progress.
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