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Steve Cassidy, the managing director of Hilton UK and Ireland, has been named as the new chair of UKHospitality.
He will assume the role this week, taking over from Steve Richards, CEO of Parkdean Resorts, who instead moves to the role of president.
The change will take place at UKHospitality’s summer conference and AGM on 14 June.
Cassidy has been a key member of the UKH board since it was formed, most recently as vice-chair, and has more than 30 years’ experience in the travel industry. He joined Hilton in 2009 and now heads up the international hotel company’s business in the UK, Ireland and Israel where it has more than 170 hotels.
UKHospitality CEO 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.”
She added: “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.”
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.”
Nicholls also paid tribute to Steve Richards, who served as UKHospitality chair since 2018. He will remain on the board and succeed Nick Varney as president of UKHospitality.
Nicholls added: “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.”
Richards said: “As I move on from my role as chair, I’d like to thank Wendy, Peter, Nick, Calum and Paul who have worked tirelessly, and I know they will continue to lend their considerable influence to the work we do as our sector faces into a fresh set of challenges and political uncertainty.”
