UK: Steve Cassidy, managing director for the UK and Ireland at Hilton, has taken over from Steve Richards, the CEO of Parkdean Resorts, as chair of industry trade body UKHospitality.
Cassidy has been a member of the UKHospitality board since it was formed and most recently held the role of vice chair. He joined in Hilton in 2009 and now heads up the company’s hotels business in the UK, Ireland and Israel overseeing 170 hotels.
Richards served as UKHospitality chair since 2018 and will now move to president, succeeding Nick Varney.
Chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “I’m delighted that Steve has taken on the role of our chair, to which he will bring a wealth of knowledge from decades working in hospitality, tourism and travel.
“There’s never been a more important time to have one voice to government and I know that Steve will continue working across our broad membership for the betterment of the sector, as he did in his role as vice chair.
“UKHospitality is continuing to build on its success – bringing in new members from across the sector and further extending our work across hospitality, tourism and leisure – and I’m looking forward to working with Steve to develop our offering even further.
“I’d like to thank Steve Richards for his diligent service to UKHospitality since its inception five years ago, and for his dedication in his time as chair, where his leadership and ability to bring people together had a hugely positive impact on our sector, particularly during the pandemic. He is a fantastic ambassador for the sector and I know he will continue working hard on its behalf, both in his new role as president, and also as chair of the hospitality tourism and skills board.”
Cassidy said: “I am incredibly proud to become chair of UKHospitality, an organisation that has supported and championed our industry with such passion and drive, especially through the recent tough years we have endured.
“Our industry is unique in its ability to create economic value, enable social mobility and build communities. I look forward to working with Kate and the UKHospitality board to further galvanise our powerful sector and speak with a united voice to government, helping deliver meaningful change for our members, benefitting the whole of the UK.”
New additions to the UKHospitality board include:
• Fiona Eastwood, COO, Midway and Resort Theme Parks at Merlin Entertainment
• Simon Emeny, chief executive, Fullers
• Steve Holmes, CEO, Azzurri Group
• Dave McDowall, CEO, Stonegate Group
• Rob Pitcher, CEO, Revolution Bars Group
• Martin Robinson, non-exec director, Burger King, Parkdean Resorts and Travelodge
• Catherine Roe, chief executive, Elior
