Kate Nicholls joins Institute of Licensing as chair

UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls OBE has been elected the national chair for the Institute of Licensing (IoL), and will take over the role from 1 April.

Nicholls serves as CEO of UKHospitality, the UK’s leading trade body for the sector, and will replace Daniel Davies who has stepped down after a record nine years in the role.

David Lucas has also been appointed vice chair alongside the current vice chair Garry Grant, and the pair will both work closely with Nicholls to provide support.

On her new position, Nicholls said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Institute of Licensing as its national chair and I’m looking forward to working with our members and wider stakeholders across the many facets of the licensing landscape.

“Having been involved in licensing matters for many years, I know how integral it is to hospitality businesses, and working towards excellence in this space is exactly the right goal.

“I’d like to thank Daniel for all his work over the past nine years and for his commitment to the Institute of Licensing. As its longest-serving chair, he has left a clear legacy that I hope to build upon during my time as chair.”

Davies’ departure

During his term as the longest-serving national chair, Davies was said to have overseen ‘significant’ development within the organisation, and saw the IoL represented at House of Lords Select Committees and other important events, while also establishing the core team and bringing about additional member benefits.

Both Lucas and Grant thanked him for his service.

Lucas said the organisation was “extremely grateful” for the “tremendous contribution” he made and wished him “every success in his ongoing commitment to the regeneration of New Brighton”.

Grant then paid tribute to the “remarkable tenure” by saying: “I would like to pay tribute to Dan Davies’ remarkable tenure as our longest serving chair over the past nine years.

“The Institute has grown leaps and bounds during his leadership as a result of his immense efforts, charisma, commercial nous, and leadership. We will remain forever grateful to Dan and he will always find a warm welcome at the Institute.”

Both also expressed excitement for the future and working with Nicholls.

Lucas said: “I look forward to an exciting future under the guidance of our new chair, Kate Nicholls OBE, and will continue to provide my support to Kate and all those who are dedicated to the growth of the Institute.”

Grant, meanwhile, added: “Kate is a highly respected and well-known figure on the national stage with exceptional leadership, commercial and diplomacy skills. She has been a good friend and supporter of the Institute over many years and a regular speaker at our national conferences and events.

“The whole board looks forward to working with Kate to progress the Institute further and faster towards its goal of ‘excellence in licensing’, partnership working and ensuring that all the voices of our wide membership are heard and amplified.”