Shake-up at the British Hospitality Association will help to lobby government

Alan Parker is president and chairman of the new Board of Directors, which replaces the former BHA Council and National Executive. Parker explained more about the restructure: "At the end of 2010, the BHA adopted a new business plan committed to working with industry and government to unlock the hospitality industry's full potential – a critical effort at a time when jobs are most needed in Britain. "The new BHA structure will enhance the association's ability to deliver on its plan and at the same time, better serve its members during these challenging times. I am very honoured to be asked to be the first chairman of the Board." Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive BHA, said that she was delighted the new constitution had been overwhelmingly approved by the BHA membership. "The BHA now has the right foundations to champion the interests of our members – and the 2.44 million jobs generated through our industry – in a forceful, coherent and coordinated way, to government and policy-makers in the UK, the EU and internationally", she said, "Our new structure will better enable us to build on the core strengths and capabilities of the association; sharpen our effectiveness; raise the industry's influence on government and policy-makers, and unite all hospitality businesses to ensure a common voice for the industry". Jonathan Lass, corporate partner and head of leisure at Davenport Lyons solicitors who advised the BHA, said: "The BHA leadership and membership should be congratulated on having the courage and determination to adopt a new, transparent structure incorporating current governance best practice. This will enable them to operate more effectively for the benefit of the organisation and the hospitality industry which is so important to the UK economy." The new BHA Board of Directors (in alphabetical order):- Wendy Bartlett, managing director, Bartlett Mitchell Andrew Coppel CBE, Managing Director, De Vere Christopher Davy, general manager, Rose and Crown, Romaldkirk, Co. Durham Patrick Dempsey, managing director, Whitbread Thomas Dubaere, managing director, Accor Andrew Evans, managing director St Brides Hotel and Spa, Saundersfoot Heiko Figge, managing director, Guoman Graham Grose, general manager, Thurlstone Hotel, Devon David Guile, chief executive, Macdonald Hotels Andrew Guy, director, Ed's Easy Diner Phil Hooper, corporate affairs director, Sodexo Stephen McCall, managing director, InterContinental Hotels Group Alan Parker CBE, director, Jumeirah Group and Chairman & President, BHA Rhys Roberts, chairman, Best Western Calum Ross, proprietor, Loch Melfort, Scotland Paul Singer, managing director, London Fine Dining Group Simon Vincent, area president Europe, Hilton