Steve Cassidy, Managing Director of Hilton UK & Ireland, has taken over as Chair of UKHospitality. He replaces Steve Richards, CEO of Parkdean Resorts, in the role. The change is effective as of 14th June 2023.
Steve Cassidy has been a member of the UKHospitality Board since its formation and most recently served as Vice-Chair. The Edinburgh Napier University alumnus has several decades’ experience in the travel industry.
In 1999, he became VP Asia Pacific & Middle East at British Airways World Cargo. After nearly five years, he moved to British Airways CitiExpress when he was appointed Commercial Director.
Cassidy completed his journey at British Airways, when he was named Commercial Director of the airline in January 2006 and then General Manager Longhaul Revenue Management in May 2006.
He entered the hospitality sector in 2009 as VP, Revenue Management EMEA at Hilton. He progressed through the ranks after two years in the role when he moved to the position of Area VP, Operations UK & Ireland.
He moved to his current role at Hilton in 2015. As Senior VP & Managing Director UK & Ireland, Cassidy is responsible for the company’s multi-brand portfolio of hotels across the region, driving development of its management services, and improving its proposition to owners.
Former Chair Steve Richards has moved to the position of President of UKHospitality.
I’m delighted that Steve has taken on the role of our Chair, to which he will bring a wealth of knowledge from decades working in hospitality, tourism, and travel. There’s never been a more important time to have one voice to Government and I know that Steve will continue working across our broad membership for the betterment of the sector, as he did in his role as Vice-Chair. UKHospitality is continuing to build on its success – bringing in new members from across the sector and further extending our work across hospitality, tourism, and leisure – and I’m looking forward to working with Steve to develop our offering even further.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality
I am incredibly proud to become chair of UKHospitality, an organisation that has supported and championed our industry with such passion and drive, especially through the recent tough years we have endured. Our industry is unique in its ability to create economic value, enable social mobility, and build communities. I look forward to working with Kate and the UKHospitality Board to further galvanise our powerful sector and speak with a united voice to Government, helping deliver meaningful change for our members, benefitting the whole of the UK.
Steve Cassidy, new Chair of UKHospitality
As I move on from my role as Chair, I’d like to thank Wendy, Peter, Nick, Calum, and Paul who have worked tirelessly, and I know they will continue to lend their considerable influence to the work we do as our sector faces into a fresh set of challenges and political uncertainty.
Steve Richards, former Chair of UKHospitality
