Expert council assembled to guide hospitality sector recovery

A team of industry experts has been assembled to help England’s pubs, restaurants and cafes to thrive.

The new Hospitality Council will help deliver the government’s Hospitality Strategy, allowing hospitality firms to reopen, recover and become more resilient following the pandemic.

The council includes UK Hosptiality CEO Kate Nicholls, Nando’s UK & Ireland chief executive Colin Hill, and Mowgli’s Nisha Katona, and is co-chaired by business minister Paul Scully and Prezzo chair and entrepreneur Karen Jones.

Small business minister, Paul Scully, said: ‘The hospitality industry has shown incredible creativity and resourcefulness through the pandemic, pivoting to new ways of doing business like al fresco dining and takeaway pints to stay safe, meet changing consumer demands and protect livelihoods.

‘With the launch of this council, we’re taking the next step in the journey to build back better from the pandemic by unveiling the experts who’ll be driving the reopening, recovery and resilience of the sector. It’s a real ‘Avengers Assemble’ moment for the industry.’

Entrepreneur and Hospitality Sector Council co-chair, Karen Jones, added: ‘I think the lockdowns have shown us many things, particularly the importance of our people and our teams and the key role hospitality has to play in lighting up our high streets and city centres.

‘We now need to capitalise on our combined energy, creativity and innovation to continue the creation of a world-class hospitality industry: the Hospitality Sector Council will aid in making that a reality. I am honoured to be co-chair alongside Minister Scully and, together with a group of hospitality leaders, to put in place all that our wonderful industry need to flourish.’

In related news, Newcastle residents are being urged to consider careers in tourism and hospitality, with hundreds of jobs available in the sector. Jobs opportunities can be accessed through a new free job vacancy portal that matches local people to local job opportunities, work experience, skills development and careers advice, called Jobs@SkillsHub.

Photo by Caroline Attwood