Hail to the chief

The Trustees of Hospitality Action, the hospitality industry charity, are pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Stephenson as Chief Executive. Jim Stephenson takes over from Tony Allen who has left to take up a post outside the industry.

Jim joins HA having recently retired from Six Continents Hotels as Vice President Operation for UK North. Jim has enjoyed over 30 years in the industry, working in Ireland (where he was born), Germany and the UK.

Jim has spent the greater part of his career with Forte Hotels, working for 22 years as General Manager, Regional General Manager and Regional Director. Married with three grown children and having retired from operations, Jim is delighted with the "opportunity to work on behalf of an industry that has been good to me".

He says: "I have enjoyed every minute of my time in the commercial sector of our business, hospitality being the best trade there is, and I now have a great opportunity to do some good for those in our industry who have perhaps been less fortunate.

"Hospitality Action has very strong foundations and a lot of strong support from key industry leaders. I want to build on that support, by helping to spread the message to as wide as possible an audience and encourage more and more support. It is imperative to the industry's credentials as a responsible group of employers, that we have an effective benevolent organisation to support the heart of our business - our people."

Don Davenport, Chairman of Hospitality Action said: "Jim Stephenson will be a real asset to HA. His long record in the hospitality industry speaks for itself and we are fortunate to have somebody of his immense talent and personal standing onboard. The whole organisation now looks forward to facing the challenges ahead with renewed vigour."
Hospitality Action