The Board of Directors at HOSPA – the Hospitality Professionals Association – is delighted to announce that, with immediate effect, Jane Pendlebury has been appointed the new HOSPA Chief Executive.

Jane, who has played a key role in HOSPA's success over the past two years as leader of HOSPA's Membership and Events Office, succeeds Carl Weldon as the Association's Chief Executive.

Commenting on the appointment, HOSPA Chairman Chris Upton said: "Jane Pendlebury was the unanimous choice of the HOSPA Board – she is a natural successor to Carl Weldon. Not only has she excelled as head of HOSPA's Membership and Events services, she has also proved to be an excellent ambassador for the Association, supporting Carl at key meetings both in the UK and overseas. She is well-known in the hospitality industry and brings with her a wealth of management experience and knowledge.

"Jane has been an invaluable friend to HOSPA over many years. Whilst Jane was Vice President and General Manager of HOSPA sponsor Agilysys, she and Carl initiated the Association's first IT Directors events. In 2011, in her role as Director of the Penrose Partnership, she was an integral member of the rebranding team that successfully transformed the British Association of Hospitality Accountants in to HOSPA.

"Jane also has expertise in sponsorship. During her time as General Manager-Sales of VisitLondon, she headed up the sponsorship team which generated over £1m per annum and the knowledge she gained there will prove invaluable to us in her new role as HOSPA CEO."

For her part, Jane Pendlebury said: "I am thrilled and honoured to have been given this exciting opportunity. I want to continue where Carl left off, and ensure that we focus on HOSPA's core objectives – namely, in the areas of Professional Development and Membership, whilst not forgetting other key services – such as our prestigious HOSPACE Conference and Exhibition, regional and London meetings, and our monthly 'Overview' magazine.

"Professional Development is one of the Associations most important Membership Services; and I am delighted with the very recent news that HOSPA has successfully secured a £10,000 Savoy Educational Trust grant, to be matched by investment from HOSPA, to further the development of our hospitality focused Revenue Management courses, and support the updating of the highly acclaimed HOSPA Revenue Management e-book. HOSPA Membership is the lifeblood of the Association and I am determined to increase our numbers significantly. The recent and welcome addition to HOSPA of the Hotel Marketing Association has kick-started the road to achieving this goal.

"In addition to my CEO responsibilities, Jenny Rose and I will continue to run an expanded Membership and Events Office from the Haslemere office; and I look forward very much to helping make this great Association of ours to be even more effective and influential in the years ahead."

Jane Pendlebury's Professional Experience:
2014 – Present HOSPA Membership and Events Management

2010 – Present Penrose Partnership Director and Company Secretary 2007 – 2009 Agilysys (Formally Visual One) Vice President and General Manager

2006 – 2007 EasyRMS (Revenue Management) (See below - returned once London had secured the 2012 Olympics)

2004 – 2006 Visit London (London Tourist Board) General Manager – Sales 2002 - 2004 EasyRMS Ltd European Sales Director

2001 - 2002 SoftBrands Hospitality New Product Sales Manager – UK 2000 - 2001 Inter-touch (EAME) Ltd Sales Manager (UK & Ireland)

Major Account Manager (EAME) 1990 - 2000 Eltrax Systems UK Ltd Director of Sales and Marketing – UK & Ireland

1989 - 1990 Booking Services International Sales Executive / Conference Organiser 1988 - 1989 Castle Hotel, Taunton Front Office Manager

1986 - 1988 Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth (DeVere) Trainee / Duty Manager

About HOSPA

HOSPA - the Hospitality Professionals Association - is a not-for-profit educational organisation, formed to bring together professionals involved in all things commercial within the hospitality industry in the UK. HOSPA is recognised as the UK's authoritative voice in the hospitality industry on financial management, technical accounting issues, as well as the leading arena for debate on investments, hospitality technology developments, revenue management and marketing. HOSPA's Professional Development Programmes provide rigorous and relevant education for all those seeking to further their careers in these important functions. It will also be launching its new course in Asset Management in September 2020. A regular programme of workshops and seminars provides the perfect opportunity for members to continue to develop their knowledge and network with colleagues. HOSPA is on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @HOSPATweets. For more information, visit: www.hospa.org

Julian Demetriadi
+44 1725 552835
HOSPA