Announcing Allen Simpson as our new Deputy Chief Executive

From Kate Nicholls OBE, Chief Executive, UKHospitality

I’m delighted to be writing to you today to announce a new appointment to the UKHospitality team.

In a move that strengthens our senior team at a critical time for the sector, Allen Simpson joins the organisation as our first Deputy Chief Executive.

Allen joins us 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.

In his new role, Allen will provide strategic oversight across our corporate social responsibility, policy and communications output and brings a wealth of experience from the tourism and leisure sector, from his time at London & Partners.

Having also previously worked at Barclays Bank and the London Stock Exchange, Allen brings with him expertise across economic development, business strategy, corporate affairs and communications.

This is a first-class addition to the team that strengthens our ability to represent our members at a critical time for hospitality, ahead of a Budget and a looming General Election.

As well as ongoing work with the Government, there has been a significant level of engagement with the Labour party. This appointment bolsters those already-strong links with the Opposition, as Allen has previously worked a former director of Labour in the City and a strategy board member of Progress, a Labour-linked policy think-tank.

Our wider senior team remains unchanged. Jackie Marlow, as our Chief Operating Officer, continues to oversee membership, operational and commercial matters, and will add finance to her portfolio. Tony Sophoclides remains responsible for UKHospitality’s political engagement and external communications.

It is clear to me that no other representative body across hospitality, tourism or leisure can rival the level of expertise we now have in our ranks or the extent of our political engagement, at the highest levels of the current government and with other political parties. 

This is a strong addition to our team that will enable us to go above and beyond on your behalf and I hope you will join me in welcoming Allen to the UKHospitality team.

Finally, I’d like to thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to us. The UKHospitality team is here to represent your interests and provide you with support, so please do get in touch with us if you ever need to.