Nick Varney appointed chairman of BHA

Nick Varney, CEO of Merlin Entertainments, will take over the role of chairman of the British Hospitality Association (BHA) next year. 

Varney, who will replace incumbent Alan Parker when he steps down on 1 January, 2015, will work with CEO Ufi Ibrahim and the executive team to help set the association’s agenda in the lead up to the UK General Election next year.

As well as leading the Cut Tourism VAT Campaign, Varney’s immediate priority will be to make all political parties aware of the importance of the tourism and hospitality sector both in economic terms and as a key employer, particularly for 16-to-24 year-olds.

Varney has worked in the visitor attractions industry for 22 years, and led the management buyout from Vardon in 1999 to form Merlin Entertainments. Since then, Merlin has grown from a small UK-based business to a multi-billion-pound publicly quoted company with over 100 attractions and a growing number of hotels, operating in 23 countries.

Varney said: “I am delighted to take up the role of the chair of the BHA at a time when it is so important that the industry voice is heard at a political level. The BHA is to be congratulated on the excellent work done to date to build relationships and raise the profile of the key issues which affect all our businesses; and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone, but particularly Alan and Ufi, for what has been achieved so far.

“Now with a General Election imminent we have a very short window of time to build on this, and to make sure that the economic and social importance of the hospitality and tourism sector is understood by all political parties; and that our issues are on their agenda for the future.”

Parker will retain his role as president of the BHA.