Kate Nicholls promoted to UKHospitality Chair, Allen Simpson becomes CEO
UKHospitality has announced that current CEO, Kate Nicholls OBE, is to step up to the new role of Chair, while current Deputy CEO, Allen Simpson, will transition to CEO.
At the same time, current non-executive chairman, Steve Cassidy, will move to become President.
The move will enable Nicholls and Simpson to deliver a new, bolder strategy for the organisation as it looks to turbocharge further growth and deliver even more for members and the wider sector.
The new structure follows an extraordinary period of growth since the organisation was formed – in which time the UKHospitality team become widely-recognised as the go-to voice for the broad hospitality sector by government and the media, alike.
The details of the enhanced strategy will be announced in the coming months. It will build on those achievements to date and will continue to deliver policy change, while growing the organisation’s operational capacity in areas such as skills, as demonstrated by the recent launch of the Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPS) scheme, working with the Government to train new starters in the sector, in 26 regions.
What does this mean?
Kate Nicholls will be the organisation’s first paid and full-time Chair. She will build on her work as a leading advocate and ambassador for the sector.This natural next step reflects the increased size and scope of the organisation and her position as a champion of the sector and its leading voice with successive governments. The changes will allow her to devote even more time to championing the sector in both the political and media landscapes, and deepen Government engagement and understanding of the sector and its challenges.
The day-to-day leadership of UKHospitality will pass to Allen Simpson in his new role as CEO. He brings a wealth of experience across tourism and leisure and expertise in global investment and economic policy. The move follows 18 months as deputy CEO, in which time he has led on ESG and conceived and delivered the Social Productivity Index, to highlight the sector’s worth to people and communities across the UK.
In their new roles, this hugely-experienced duo will continue to propel the sector and organisation forward and drive positive change for the sector.
Steve Cassidy, President, UKHospitality
Steve Cassidy, President of UKHospitality, said: “UKHospitality has grown incredibly over the last few years in terms of membership, influence and impact. Having both a dedicated, full-time Chair and a CEO in place, UKHospitality can become even bigger and better, and go further, faster. Kate has transformed the organisation into a formidable force for the good for the sector, most notably during the worst crisis the industry has ever faced – Covid. Together, Kate and Allen, will continue to champion the industry and drive change for the benefit of our members and the economy of the UK.”
Kate Nicholls, Chair, UKHospitality
Kate Nicholls OBE, Chair of UKHospitality, said: “This new chapter reflects the impact, status and ambition of UKHospitality, which continues to be the vital voice for our broad and important sector. We have established strong and effective influence for the country’s fourth largest economic sector and have a seat at the highest table alongside other core business groups on the macro-economic issues of today.
“Together we will work alongside Government on some of the most pressing developmental policies for this country and its key industries. Top of my list is to ensure Government continues to listen to our calls for sector support, following the £3.4bn of costs that hit us in April, root and branch reform of the Business Rates system, as well as building longer-term momentum for the compelling rationale for creating a dedicated VAT rate for hospitality.
“I look forward to working ever-more closely in partnership with Allen as our team delivers a new and emboldened strategy, and maximum positive change for our sector.”
Allen Simpson, Chief Executive, UKHospitality
Allen Simpson, CEO of UKHospitality, said: “I’m excited to step up to CEO and to have the opportunity to build further on the team’s significant body of work for this crucial industry, continuing Kate’s momentum. My focus will be to drive growth, services and a platform for success, for – and with – our members. The economic context is shifting fast, and as a sector we need to take greater control of our own destiny.”
Learn more about UKHospitality, Kate, and Allen:
UKHospitality was formed in 2018 through the merger of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and the British Hospitality Association, in order to give the industry a single, unified voice.
The leading trade body represents businesses across the broad hospitality sector. From independent pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, and hotels; to major UK-wide operators, contract caterers, visitor attractions, and – via its strategic affiliate partnerships with the Association for Indoor Play, the Professional Association of Self Caterers UK and the B&B Association – UKHospitality now represents more than 95% of eating, drinking and accommodation venues in the UK.
As the voice for hospitality and the wider visitor economy, the organisation speaks for more than 130,000 venues, and works on behalf of a sector that lies at the heart of the everyday economy: contributing £93 billion annually to the economy, generating £54 billion of tax for the Treasury, and employing more than 3.5 million people as the third largest employer in the UK.
UKHospitality members benefit from dedicated campaigning to empower hospitality to thrive, in addition to expert insight, exclusive data, specialist support helplines, and guidance on the key issues facing hospitality businesses today.
It has most recently led and developed a new hospitality-specific training programme, backed by the Government. The hospitality Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAPs), was developed and led by UKHospitality and will see thousands of jobseekers trained and offered employment in the sector, across 26 areas of the UK.
A new Social Productivity Index (SPI) was also recently launched by the organisation, which introduces a broader definition of a successful economy, ranking industries based on their ability to share growth widely and demonstrating the value of foundation sectors like hospitality, retail and logistics. The SPI demonstrates, not only how such industries directly support the success of the economy but deliver broader socially productive growth as well.
UKHospitality Chair, Kate Nicholls OBE, was a key driving force in the formation of the unified body via the merger and led the former ALMR and subsequently the new organisation since its inception.
Awarded an OBE for her services to the sector during COVID, she was recently named on the 2025 Women in Westminster: The 100 list and is this year’s City AM’s Personality of the Year.
She sits on the Government’s Tourism, Hospitality, and Food & Drink Sector Councils, where she represents the wider hospitality and tourism sector. As a passionate advocate for inclusivity in hospitality, Kate is also the Government’s first Disability Ambassador for hospitality. Kate is the Chair of the Institute of Licensing, a board member of Best Bar None, and a trustee of Hospitality Action and Springboard. She has previously chaired the Tourism Alliance, London Night-time Commission, and London Tourism Recovery Board.
Kate initially worked as a researcher in the House of Commons and European Parliament on food, employment and environmental policy before joining Whitbread to work in Strategic Affairs. She has extensive experience as a political and strategic communications consultant and is a graduate of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and Kings College London.
An experienced political lobbyist and media commentator, her new role will enable her to continue to be a powerful advocate and ambassador for the sector and increase the understanding of, and engagement with, hospitality at the highest levels of media and government.
In his new role as CEO, Allen Simpson will take on the day-to-day leadership of UKHospitality.
He joined UKHospitality as Deputy CEO 18-months ago from London & Partners, the Mayor of London’s tourism, inward investment and city marketing agency, where he served as Executive Director and, in 2021, Acting Chief Executive as London recovered from the Pandemic, leading the multi million pound tourism recovery campaign LetsDoLondon.
He brings a wealth of experience from the tourism and leisure sector and expertise across economic development, business strategy, corporate affairs and communications, having also previously worked at Barclays Bank and the London Stock Exchange.
Politically, Allen has been close to policymaking in industrial strategy for nearly two decades. He formerly ran Labour in the City, the membership group for Labour members in financial and professional services, growing the organisation significantly.
Allen has twice been a parliamentary candidate, and contributed to the recent Anderson Review into Business Relations commissioned by the Business Secretary in Opposition. He has served on the board of the Labour group Progress, and the think tank Demos.
He is a graduate of the University of York.