Nick Varney, chief executive officer of Merlin Entertainments, will take over the role of chairman of the British Hospitality Association (BHA) when incumbent Alan Parker CBE steps down on January 1, 2015.

In his new role, Varney will join the BHA board of directors, working with chief executive officer, Ufi Ibrahim, and the executive team in the important lead up to the country's general election and the new political environment that will follow.    

Already leading the Cut Tourism VAT Campaign, which strives for the UK to be more competitive in Europe with a lower tourism tax, Varney's immediate priority will be to make all political parties aware of the importance of the hospitality and tourism sector both in economic terms and as a key employer.
 
"The BHA is to be congratulated on the excellent work done to date to build relationships and raise the profile of the key issues which affect all our businesses," Varney said.

"Now with a general election imminent we have a very short window of time to build on this, and to make sure that the economic and social importance of the hospitality and tourism sector is understood by all political parties; and that our issues are on their agenda for the future."