Hospitality Action gives the top jobto Davenport

Don Davenport, chief executive of Granada Restaurants, has been elected chairman of industry charity Hospitality Action.

Davenport replaces Garry Hawkes, who oversaw the restructure and relaunch of the former Hotel and Catering Benevolent Association as Hospitality Action. Hawkes, now retired, will continue in his role as president.

"Since the relaunch, the industry has learnt a lot more about Hospitality Action and the necessity of the work we do," Davenport said.

"The Forte Hotels Group, Aramark Plc and the Metropolitan Police have all made Hospitality Action their Charity of the Year and I am committed to seeing that many more companies direct their corporate giving in a way that will truly help people in our industry," he continued.

Now that the charity has made the decision to withdraw from the provision of sheltered housing, it would focus fully on two things, Davenport said. "First, we want to get the industry to support Hospitality Action. Second, we want to ensure that everyone who needs assistance from the industry's charity gets it."