Kate Nicholls promoted to chair of UKHospitality

UKHospitality (UKH) has announced that its current CEO, Kate Nicholls OBE, will step up to the new role of chair, while its current deputy CEO, Allen Simpson, will transition to the CEO role. At the same time, current non-executive chairman Steve Cassidy will become president. 

The move will allow Nicholls and Simpson to deliver a new strategy for the organisation as it looks to turbocharge further growth and deliver even more members for the wider sector.

The details of the enhanced strategy will be announced in the coming months. It will continue to deliver policy change, while growing the organisation's operational capacity in areas such as skills, as demonstrated by the recent launch of the Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) scheme, working with the government to train new starters in the sector in 26 regions. 

A new era for UKH

Nicholls will be the organisation's first full-time chair. She will build on her work as a leading advocate and ambassador for the sector. The changes will allow her to donate even more time to championing the sector in both the political and media landscapes, and deepen government engagement and understanding of the industry and its challenges. 

The day-to-day leadership of UKH will pass to Simpson in his new role as CEO. He brings a wealth of experience across tourism and leisure, as well as expertise in global investment and economic policy. The move follows his 18 months serving as deputy CEO, in which time he has led on ESG and conceived and delivered the Social Productivity Index. 

"UKH has grown incredibly over the last few years in terms of membership, influence and impact," says Cassidy. "Having both a dedicated, full-time chair and CEO in place, UKH can become even bigger and better, and go further, faster. 

"Kate has transformed the organisation into a formidable force for the good of the sector, most notably during the worst crisis the industry has ever faced – Covid. Together, Kate and Allen will continue to champion the industry and drive change for the benefit of our members and the economy of the UK."

You may also be interested in…