Alan, a Trustee for over 23 years and former vice chair of the charity, takes over from Angela Vickers of Apex Hotels who has led as chair since 2018. Chris, chief executive of Crerar Hotels, steps into the vice chair role with a strong focus on nurturing future hospitality leaders.
David Cochrane MBE, chief executive of HIT Scotland, thanked Angela Vickers for her ‘transformative’ leadership.
He said: “HIT extends its heartfelt thanks to outgoing chair Angela Vickers. Angela’s dedication and insight have been pivotal in HIT Scotland’s success, and her leadership has greatly advanced our cause. Her commitment to the hospitality industry will leave a lasting legacy.”
Since 1994, HIT Scotland has been a ‘beacon of support’ for the hospitality sector, funding scholarship experiences to upskill and inspire hospitality talent. In 2024 it reached a significant milestone, awarding its 7,000th scholarship all made possible by industry support and donations.
In 2023 alone, 414 scholarships were awarded across Scotland with 92% of recipients saying it would help them progress in their career and 94% believing it would enhance their current roles.
HIT Scotland hosts around 24 annual industry events, attracting over 3,000 attendees from 250 companies, and raising more than £150,000 through auctions alone. These events, from black-tie dinners to sports matches, provide invaluable fundraising and networking opportunities for industry professionals.