UKHospitality

UKHospitality
Name	UKHospitality
Type	Trade association
Founded	2018
Headquarters	London
Region served	United Kingdom
Membership	Hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, leisure venues
Key people	CEO Tim Alderman

UKHospitality UKHospitality is a trade association representing the hospitality sector in the United Kingdom, bringing together companies from the hotel, restaurant, pub, bar and leisure sub-sectors. It works with public figures, regulatory bodies and business groups to influence policy affecting hospitality firms and to run industry programmes on standards, skills and sustainability. Its activities intersect with notable institutions, regulatory regimes and event organisers across the UK and internationally.

History

UKHospitality was formed in 2018 through the merger of trade bodies and historic organisations representing hospitality firms, following precedents set by aggregations such as the British Hospitality Association and the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers. Its formation drew on the legacies of long-established institutions like the Hotel and Catering Institute, while responding to events such as the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum and the shifting regulatory landscape after the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The organisation evolved amid crises that affected the sector, including the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, and labour market shifts influenced by the Immigration Act 2016. Leadership and membership have engaged with stakeholders including the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and regulators such as Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Health and Safety Executive.

Structure and Membership

UKHospitality's membership base spans multinational groups and independent operators comparable to members of the British Beer and Pub Association, Confederation of British Industry, Federation of Small Businesses networks and sector-specific associations like the Institute of Hospitality. The organisation comprises boards and committees that mirror governance models seen at the British Chambers of Commerce and the National Farmers' Union. Its membership categories include hotel chains similar to InterContinental Hotels Group, restaurant groups akin to Dickinson Group, pub companies comparable to Greene King and hospitality service providers like those in the supply chain associated with Compass Group and Mitchells & Butlers. Representative structures coordinate with trade unions such as the GMB and Unite the Union on employment matters, and with accreditation bodies including VisitBritain and the National Skills Academy for Hospitality.

Policy and Advocacy

UKHospitality engages in lobbying, consultation responses and public campaigns, interfacing with parliamentary bodies like the House of Commons Treasury Committee and the House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs. Its policy work touches taxation frameworks involving the Value Added Tax Act 1994 and reliefs comparable to debates around the Business Rates Supplement and measures influenced by the Finance Act 2020. It has provided evidence to inquiries led by the Public Accounts Committee and engaged with regulators including Food Standards Agency and Advertising Standards Authority. On labour and immigration, the association has taken positions in dialogue with the Home Office and debated outcomes related to legislation such as the Immigration Act 2014 and frameworks shaped by the Taylor Review.

Campaigns and Industry Initiatives

UKHospitality runs campaigns addressing sectoral priorities seen in initiatives by groups like Sustainability in Hospitality coalitions and skills campaigns reminiscent of Careers Wales and Skills Development Scotland programmes. It has coordinated outreach with event partners similar to London Restaurant Festival and standards projects akin to VisitEngland star-rating reviews. Campaign themes have included workforce training aligned with curricula from institutions like City & Guilds and Institute of Culinary Arts, sustainability aligned with commitments similar to the Courtauld Commitment and public health partnerships echoing actions with Public Health England. Collaborative initiatives have linked to city-level stakeholders such as Greater London Authority and regional development agencies resembling Scottish Enterprise.

Research and Economic Impact

UKHospitality commissions and publishes economic research on the sector’s contribution to output, employment and tax receipts, producing analyses comparable to reports from the Office for National Statistics and the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Its economic impact work draws on data sources similar to the Business Register and Employment Survey and metrics used by the Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility. Studies address supply chain effects involving firms like Birmingham Restaurant Group analogues, tourism impacts in areas promoted by VisitBritain and regional employment patterns reflected in statistics from Local Enterprise Partnerships and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Awards and Events

UKHospitality organises and supports sector events and awards that mirror Industry ceremonies like the AA Hospitality Awards, the Michelin Guide announcements, and trade shows akin to Independent Hotel Show and The Publican’s Morning Advertiser forums. It participates in conferences and networking events held in venues comparable to ExCeL London and NEC Birmingham, and aligns with calendar fixtures such as the Hospitality and Catering Show and hospitality-focused sessions at the World Travel Market. Awarding and recognition programmes link to professional development providers similar to Hospitality Guild and academic partners such as the University of West London and the University of Central Lancashire.

Category:Hospitality industry in the United Kingdom