You may not know his name, but Dan Warne has almost certainly been instrumental in serving you food in your own home. No, he’s not a modern day butler; rather he’s the former MD of Deliveroo, the app that made ordering take out from thousands of restaurants as easy as pie.

After five years in that role, he finally swapped take away for a more sociable trend he’d identified in the industry: communal collective dining. In 2019, he launched Sessions, a hospitality tech start up that marries a new appetite for togetherness with opportunities for those burgeoning restaurateurs and chefs who have bags of talent but not necessarily the capital to match. Weary of the prevailing trend towards unexciting big chains ousting independents solely on the basis of funds, he spotted a way to help emerging talent and diversify the offering for punters at the same time.

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In 2019, Dan opened Sesson’s first food hall, Shelter Hall in Brighton. The concept? To provide a base for exciting new food talent to test their concepts with consumers. The second phase swiftly followed: to link new food concepts with existing national operators, thus enabling a delivery option – a particularly imperative function in the midst of a pandemic. Indeed, so committed is he to pioneering new routes to market that he was hardly going to let a trifle like a triple lockdown stop him.

Here he tells us about the people who’ve inspired him – and how an early job at Tesco almost put paid to a stellar career.

Favourite place in all the world?


A little village on the Kent coast called Kingsdown – a place I went to every summer when I was growing up. Always brings back happy memories and totally chills me out away from work. My brother also just had a phenomenal wedding there.


Dream holiday?


I spend my life watching David Attenborough documentaries with my kids – so anything nature themed and wildernessy.


Most coveted item right now?


A telescope.


Proudest professional moment to date?


Launching Shelter Hall in the middle of the pandemic.

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Your dream future project?


Recording an album!


Who has been your most inspiring mentor, professionally or personally?


A woman called Melanie Bower, my boss once upon a time at Travelzoo – just a wicked smart, driven, brilliant person.


Where would you live if you could live anywhere?


In west London. I’ve tried living in cooler places and I’m just not cool enough sadly.


What book is on your nightstand/ kindle right now?


The Next 100 Years, a frighteningly accurate forecast for the future.


Best film you’ve seen recently?





Gladiator. It just has everything, and while clearly I didn’t see it for the first time recently, I did have the great pleasure of seeing it for the tenth time recently! And the music…who doesn’t love a bit of Hans Zimmer!


Best binge-watched TV show?





The Wire. The nuance of every scene and character builds are incredible, while simultaneously you can’t put it down!


Top podcast of the moment?





The Elizabeth Holmes one [The Drop Out] – you couldn’t make it up! Plus I see so many start-ups playing games around valuation versus actually building genuine, viable businesses.


Your hero?



CWC launch with Shane Warne (15892517144)

Shane Warne. Originally just because he shares my name! However, he was also an incredible competitor, a great entertainer and charismatic guy. And despite all that, when I met him, he took the time to bowl balls at me and treat me as if I was one of his mates – he really was a man of the people!

Tourism Victoria from Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons


If you were an animal, what would you be?


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A baby turtle, trying desperately to make it to the sea before getting eaten by a bird. Not quite sure if I make it!


What did you want to be when you grew up?


I grew up as a kid with Jurassic Park, so there was only one job you wanted to have. Apparently being a paleonologist requires endless patience – thankfully my career didn’t end up there!


Worst job you’ve ever done?


Tesco on the tills. I actually failed ‘the smile test’ at the till and they fired me.


Favourite dish to cook?


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My kids say I make the best, perfectly runny boiled eggs. I’m a man of simple pleasures.


Favourite café/ restaurant?


Urban Pantry. Shout-out for the little indie on Devonshire Road in Chiswick. It does the best breakfasts!


What tune always makes you want to dance?





Franc Moody – Dance Moves. What a tune!


Favourite website or app?


Deliveroo – it has years of my blood and sweat in it.


Most useful thing on your desk?


A laptop? Sadly that’s the only thing on my desk, but it’s very useful!


Which five people, dead or alive, would you find most interesting to be stuck in a lift with?




Bob Marley, so who shot the deputy? Jack Nicholson, for some of that cuckoo’s nest charisma. Rosie Revere, since I read her story to my daughter’s a lot, and there’s a lot to love about not giving up, though not a real person! Alan Partridge, also not a real person, but he kind of is, and he’d really bring the group together. Annie Lennox, for the soundtrack of my growing up.


Favourite building?


One of the skyscrapers in Chicago, my introduction to the sheer scale of America!


What would be your epitaph?


He didn’t die wondering!

By Nancy Alsop
July 2022