About Us. Our Trustees.

Kevin is the founder and CEO of the Lincolnshire based Coaching Inn Group. The company buys freehold market town hotels, each of them being at the heart of the community.
The group operates across England and Wale with 32 award-winning properties. The Group has featured multiple years in the “Best 100 companies to work for”.
Kevin’s strategy has always been clear: People first. This starts with all team members across the group and promoted with “Hospitality from the Heart”

Partner, BDO. Jon is a director within BDO’s Business Risk Services team. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 15 years’ experience in providing assurance and consultancy services across both the public and private sectors and is a “hands on” individual who actively seeks to contribute to his clients success.

A Chef by training, Simon Esner moved from the kitchen into a front of house sales role more than 35 years ago.
Simon's approach to business development was nationally recognised in 2013 with the award of The National Sales Award for Sales Director of The Year. In 2017 Simon was awarded at Catey. The prestigious "Outstanding Contribution Award" for his work both as a Director at WSH Ltd as well as his commitment to industry charities Springboard and Hospitality Action. In October 2022 Simon retired from WSH to focus on mentoring and developing business leaders of the future. Simon formed Uncommon Sense Ltd.

Ringo is the Non-Executive Chairman and founder of Zenith Hygiene Group, the UK’s largest independent manufacturer and supplier of cleaning and hygiene products. Ringo is hugely committed to the personal development of his team and supports a great many charities, both personally and through Zenith Hygiene Group Plc.

Andrew is a former Chief Executive of City Centre Restaurants plc, now The Restaurant Group plc, and Ed’s Easy Diner Holdings Ltd. He is currently Executive Chairman of Reco-Air Ltd, and has previously been Non-Executive Chairman of The Coaching Inn Group and Crepeaffaire Ltd. He is a Fellow of Aberystwyth University, where he is advising on the redevelopment of the historic Old College building into a hotel and restaurant. At one time Chairman of the British Hospitality Association, Andrew has a lifetime of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked in the USA and Europe as well as in this country, and is a valued trustee.

Tim is Chairman of the Board of Directors of CH&Co Group. He co-founded the original CH&Co with his late wife, Robyn, in 1991.
Tim originally trained as a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse. Following this he was Financial Controller of Marvel Comics and then became Finance Director of RWS, one of Europe’s largest translation companies. He continued to perform this role in parallel to guiding CH&Co’s finances until 2000 when he relinquished this position to concentrate full time on CH&Co.

Andrew is the longest serving Trustee, having joined in 1996,  and has worked in the hospitality industry for much of his career.  He read hospitality at Brighton University and completed a Master’s Degree, also in hospitality, at Oxford Brookes University.  He created and developed the EAP for HA, as a consultant, and continues to take an active interest in its expansion. He is the  Chairman of the HA Grants & Advisory Committee and has been a committee member for almost twenty years.  In business, he has held a number of senior posts  including being CEO of three companies, two listed and one private equity backed.  Most recently he was CEO of icelolly.com the travel comparison website.  He now holds a number of  Non-Executive  Director posts and completes consultancy and interim assignments helping businesses to maximise their potential.  Andrew is an active member of St John Ambulance and is a Community First Responder, responding to 999 calls,  for the NHS Ambulance Service. 

Helen is CEO and President of Aramark UK & Global Offshore. She has over 20 years of leadership experience with global and UK food brands, including Sysco, M&S and Greggs. Under her tenure at Aramark UK & Global Offshore, Helen has driven significant growth and overseen several key acquisitions including, Wilson Vale, Grayson’s, Premier, Norsk and By Word of Mouth event caterers.

Helen is staunchly passionate about the hospitality industry and actively contributes her time to support those within it. Appointed Chair of the CBI food and drink committee, Helen also mentors female leaders in the Women in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure network.

Kate Nicholls OBE has been CEO of UKHospitality since its inception in 2018, having previously worked as CEO and Strategic Affairs Director of the ALMR.
Kate is Chair of the Tourism Alliance and co-Chair of the London Tourism Recovery Board, representing the needs of the wider tourism sector in discussions with Government and the Mayor of London. In July 2021, she was appointed as the first Government Disability Ambassador for hospitality, promoting inclusivity. She is Chair of Liverpool ACC and on the board of several industry standards schemes.
Kate initially worked as a researcher in the House of Commons and European Parliament before joining Whitbread to work in Strategic Affairs. She has extensive experience as a political and strategic communications consultant.

Managing Director of the Exclusive Collection, a family-run independent group of 6 country house properties, two spas, golf club, cookery school, inn and award-winning restaurants. Danny is actively involved in the wider hospitality industry; he was voted Hotelier of the Year in 2014 by the Caterer and previously Chairman of the Master Innholders. Danny has a passion for developing the talent of the future. Such passion has also resulted in the launch of its Exclusive Chefs’ Academy, Graduate Manager’s programme, Food and Beverage Academy, and strong learning paths in all areas.

Following completion of ‘A’ levels at school, Jonathan undertook a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Hotel Management and has worked in the hotel industry for 40 years. He was appointed Managing Director at Red Carnation Hotels in 2000 which at the time comprised four hotels, today he is responsible for 18 hotels across the globe. In 2021 Red Carnation Hotels was voted Number 3 Best Hotel Brand in Travel + Leisure ‘World’s Best’ Awards.

In 2009 Jonathan was named Hotelier of the Year by The Caterer and Hotelkeeper. He is a board member of The Global Travel & Tourism Partnership. Most recently in 2022 Jonathan has been appointed to sit on the Strategy Committee at Forbes Travel Guide. He also received a title change from MD to CEO of Red Carnation Hotels. Jonathan remains passionate about the opportunities that the industry offers to anyone who is prepared to work hard.

Ian has worked in hospitality for his entire career and has held a variety of senior positions. Prior to joining Compass in January 2004, he had a four year spell in Hong Kong and China as Managing Director of Sodexo. Ian is currently undertaking a Master’s in Coaching and Mentoring and is beginning to develop his own practice, combining experience and a genuine desire to work in the service of his clients success.

Andrew has spent 25 years with the Bidfood business, primarily developing the Food Logistics business in the UK, as well as the businesses in Turkey, the Middle East, the Baltics and Spain. He became Chief Executive of Bidfood in 2014, and now also sits on the global leadership Foodservice Group within Bidcorp, Bidfood’s parent company. Prior to joining Bidfood, Andrew’s career began at Coca-Cola Enterprises, where he worked his way up from Graduate Trainee to Trading Director of the wholesale division.

David enjoyed a highly successful career in the hotel industry spanning over 40 years, holding numerous senior leadership positions in Forte, De Vere and latterly IHG Hotels. He was also IHG's operational lead for London2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Since retiring, David has continued to support both individuals and companies sharing his vast wealth of knowledge and experience. David has long been a passionate supporter of Hospitality Action, amongst other things being Chair of our Northern Fundraising Board and serving as a trustee of the charity for over 10 years. He has also been a trustee of Springboard and chair of their Northern Advisory Board. David was appointed an MBE in the Kings Birthday Honours 2023 for services to the Hospitality Industry and Charities.