From dyslexia to disruptor: a Millfield maverick's rise in the hospitality industry

OM Alex Pullin takes the hospitality industry by storm with last minute reservations app, with plans to go global and international next year! 

My journey started at Millfield School when I was just 11 years old. School was a challenge for me at times due to severe dyslexia, but despite this, Millfield School taught me invaluable communication skills that I still cherish to this day. I remain in close contact with many of my school friends, and my time there will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Throughout my time at Millfield, I encountered difficulties with maintaining my focus daily. As a result, I found it increasingly challenging to keep up with my peers, which ultimately caused me to resent school. However, I came to realise that my true talents lay in practical classes, such as sports like rugby and gymnastics. 

It wasn't until year 11 when I met Mrs. Kello in Food Technology that I discovered my love for cooking. Her fascinating classes sparked my interest, and ultimately led me to pursue my passion by studying the Leiths professional food and wine course. 

After leaving school, I found my passion in sales while working for my family's cheese company, Ford Farm. I knew that if I wanted to fully pursue my career, I needed to escape the small-town life of Somerset and move to London. It was in London where I stumbled upon Elephant Gin in 2017, and my journey in the hospitality industry began. 

I loved the fast-paced lifestyle of selling booze into bars and restaurants, and I even started a social media page called London's Finest Guide with my brother, Leon Pullin. The page grew rapidly, and we were surprised when we hit 30,000 followers. Companies like Uber and alcohol brands wanted to work with us, and we were thrilled with the success. 

In September 2021, I was approached by Ambl founders Aaron and Jed, who wanted to collaborate on the launch of their new company. I was immediately intrigued by their vision of changing the hospitality industry with a last-minute reservation platform that works similarly to Uber. After hearing their pitch, I knew I wanted to work for Ambl, so I asked if they were hiring. To my delight, they replied that they hadn't hired anyone yet, and I became their first employee in January 2022. 

Ambl is a revolutionary booking platform that sends out a pulse to bars, pubs, and restaurants to check availability, saving users time from browsing through Google, TripAdvisor, or OpenTable. Since our launch in November 2022, we've reached over 25,000 downloads and partnered with 300+ top bars and restaurants across London. We're determined to expand to all major cities in the UK and eventually go global. 

My journey hasn't always been easy, but with the support of my family, friends, and the skills I learned at Millfield School, I've been able to find my passion and succeed in the hospitality industry. I'm excited for what the future holds for Ambl and for myself as we continue to grow and innovate.