BHA introduces new board of directors
The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has replaced its council and national executive with a constitution and a new board of directors made up of high-powered executives from across the hospitality industry.
The industry body said it had made the move because its old structure had become increasingly complex and unwieldy.
BHA chairman Alan Parker said: "Generating 8% of total employment, hospitality is already the UK's fifth-biggest industry. As the engine of tourism and other sectors which rely on a dynamic hospitality industry, the potential for further job creation, export earnings and investment is yet to be fully tapped".
"At the end of 2010, the BHA adopted a new business plan committed to working with industry and government to unlock the hospitality industry's full potential - a critical effort at a time when jobs are most needed in Britain."
"The new BHA structure will enhance the association's ability to deliver on its plan and at the same time better serve its members during these challenging times. I am very honoured to be asked to be the first chairman of the board."
Ufi Ibrahim, BHA chief executive, said she was delighted the new constitution had been overwhelmingly approved by the BHA membership.
"The BHA now has the right foundations to champion the interests of our members - and the 2.44 million jobs generated through our industry - in a forceful, coherent and co-ordinated way, to government and policy-makers in the UK, the EU and internationally", she added,
"Our new structure will better enable us to build on the core strengths and capabilities of the association; sharpen our effectiveness; raise the industry's influence on government and policy-makers, and unite all hospitality businesses to ensure a common voice for the industry".
The new BHA board of directors is:
Wendy Bartlett, managing director, Bartlett Mitchell
Andrew Coppel CBE, managing director, De Vere
Christopher Davy, general manager, Rose and Crown, Romaldkirk, County Durham
Patrick Dempsey, managing director, Whitbread
Thomas Dubaere, managing director, Accor
Andrew Evans, managing director St Brides hotel and spa, Saundersfoot
Heiko Figge, managing director, Guoman
Graham Grose, general manager, Thurlstone hotel, Devon
David Guile, chief executive Macdonald Hotels
Andrew Guy, director, Ed's Easy Diner
Phil Hooper, corporate affairs director, Sodexo
Stephen McCall, managing director, InterContinental Hotels Group
Alan Parker CBE, director, Jumeirah Group and chairman & president, BHA
Rhys Roberts, chairman, Best Western
Calum Ross, proprietor, Loch Melfort, Scotland
Paul Singer, managing director, London Fine Dining Group
Simon Vincent, area president Europe, Hilton
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By Neil Gerrard
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