Transitioning from pharmaceutical medicine to hospitality, Zoe Tuilotolava began working at the Kent Hotel in Newcastle in 2014. In two years, she progressed from bartender to bar manager, and a decade later she is now the licensee.
Not only is Tuilotolava licensee for one of the most recognisable pubs in Hunt Hospitality’s portfolio, but the first female licensee of the pub in over a century of operations.
Tuilotolava told Australian Hotelier that being a woman with her name above the door is the achievement she’s most proud of, especially as a 32-year-old single mum.
“I consider this place my home, so to get my name on the doors was a goal, but I didn’t know that I would be the first female until I actually gained the position.
“Going forward, I’ll be encouraging females in the industry to step up as I have. In the way that they have supported me, I’m going to build a bigger platform for them. For females in the industry, especially within the Kent, it’s about giving them more – and equal – opportunities, and creating a safer environment,” she explained.
Leading by example
From serving schooners as a part-time bartender to managing the group’s flagship pub, Hunt Hospitality managing director Stephen Hunt says Tuilotolava has turned staff engagement into a driving force behind the pub’s success.
“She started at the very bottom – but even then, she had a spark; a genuine warmth for customers, a work ethic others rallied around, and an instinct for bringing people together.
“Zoe has never lost sight of where she came from. Her style of leadership is rooted in empathy and inclusion. She listens – not just to problems, but to people. She’s built a culture where feedback flows both ways and where everyone feels heard and supported.
“Turnover is low, morale is high, and the team functions like a family,” Hunt stated.
According to Hunt, Tuilotolava has cultivated strong, lasting relationships with her colleagues, suppliers and pubgoers, and her leadership was recognised when she was awarded Employee of the Year at the 2025 Newcastle Hospitality and Tourism Awards. She puts the win down to passion, dedication and loyalty.
Tuilotolava says: “Good results come from hard work. I didn’t expect [to win] but when I did, I looked at myself and thought, I deserve this. I really do deserve this, and I think it comes down to the fact I love what I do, and I do it with ease. It’s where I’m meant to be.
“The Kent is so much more than what people know of it. Back in the day we had a bad reputation, […] but we’ve come such a long way to make it what it is, and that’s why I’m so proud, because I’ve been here for that journey.
“I didn’t see myself here 10 years ago, but I’m so glad that I am still here and I see nothing but the Kent in my future.
“The next box I want to tick is investing either into the Kent or some sort of local hotel. Investing in the business will be my next step,” Tuilotolava concluded.
This story was first published in the June-July issue of Australian Hotelier. You can read more from this edition of the magazine below.