Hospitality Action in hunt for staff after chief executive quits

The chief executive of industry charity Hospitality Action has resigned.

Alison Rogers left on New Year's Eve, as did Susanna Axisa, head of fundraising.

The charity denied the departures were related, but said both women left for personal reasons.

Their resignations follow that in November of events manager Vicki Windsor, who has not yet been replaced.

According to chairman Don Davenport, Windsor left because "she was promised a bigger job and it didn't come to fruition".

Hospitality Action is also recruiting a director of finance and administration.

The charity said this was a new position and would not replace that formerly held by Conal Morgan, the charity's accountant for eight years.

Last year Rogers was accused at an industrial tribunal of bullying Morgan out of his job.

She denied the allegations and the dispute was settled (Caterer, 13 July 2000, page 4).

News of her resignation came amid rumours the charity has offended some companies that have supported its work.

It was suggested the charity did so by not showing appreciation to those who donated money.

Davenport said: "There are one or two people I am aware of that have been upset. I think our eye has come off the ball in the past four to five months."

Asked if staff morale had suffered, he added: "She [Rogers] has been off ill and the team has not had as much leadership. It is a human issue.

"I don't think she [Rogers] has been able to cope. She has had a house move and with all the travelling, early morning starts and late evenings, it was getting to her."

Rogers is acting as chief executive part-time until a new chief executive is recruited.

She was unavailable for comment.

Axisa has been replaced as head of fundraising by Helen Walker, former corporate fundraising manager.

By Louise Bozec