Major merger

Good luck to those at the helm of UKHospitality, the new body made up of the merged ALMR and BHA which will be the voice of a sector that generates £130 billion revenue each year and employs 2.9 million people.

The association says it will spearhead hospitality’s representation on the strategic, structural and regulatory issues it faces, campaigning for policies to help the sector achieve further growth as a key driver of the UK economy.

In parallel with campaigning on issues such as Brexit, business rates and VAT, UKHospitality needs to focus on attracting UK young people in to the sector, particularly if we are going to go through a “hard Brexit”. The sector needs to be promoted and marketed as a great career option for ambitious and bright young people – at the moment that is not the case, despite the best efforts of hotel schools and enlightened employers.

And while we are on the subject of UKHospitality, BHN would like to wish former BHA CEO Ufi Ibrahim the best of luck in her future ventures. She has been an effective communicator and an impressive advocate for the industry in her time at the BHA.