Hotel Owner March 2018 | Page 25

INTERVIEW on with pace to make sure we don’t lose any that you will find the engagement with SME to make sure we are taken into account ground with the government. I imagine that and sector-specific groups for hotels, pubs, by the government. The proposed core would be completed in a short space of time contract catering and so on, making sure purpose of the merged body continues so to be up and running in April/May time. that all those commercial issues they are to be those we are pursuing separately. A facing are right at the coal face are picked strong campaign voice to lobby on those big up and addressed. structural and financial challenges such as How will UKHospitality be structured? Brexit, tax, business rates, we will also take a For a lot of the members there will be limited difference to how it looks and feels when So it is an amalgamation? lead in delivering an integrative careers and they are dealing with the ALMR or BHA, In terms of corporate governance it will take skills strategy for the hospitality industry other than there will be more access points the best of both with a small management that is meeting the challenges that have for those individual businesses to have board and a larger advisory council looking been put forward by government for all the their views heard. There will be a strong at policy the new element will be the sector industry so we can secure a good sector mechanism to ensure that there is real specific groupings that will meet that will deal. We have an international role so it is grassroot SME engagement as that is what provide really about promoting the sector, protecting gives us the power when we talk to politicians particularly SME engagement. for grassroot engagement and We will have an executive board that the business within it from the unnecessary costs of regulation and promoting a vibrant and government. What are the main aims of environment in which businesses can thrive. looks after the association as a business UKHospitality? and makes sure that the strategy is right I think it is a continuation - what we are Specific short term aims? and the finances are right, and we will talking here is evolution not revolution. the Brexit - making sure we are getting a deal have a broadly based advisory council with aims are to do everything we are doing now for our sector that avoids a cliff-edge and representative at each of the sections that but to do more of it and to do it better - so provides talent that we need to continue the organisation looks after to make sure we it is not tearing out and throwing away, it is to grow and generate the jobs that the are debating policy decisions. Underneath about taking it forward with a stronger voice economy as a whole is continuously growing March 2018 www.hotelowner.co.uk 25