UKHospitality Scotland to have new leader

Leon Thompson is to take over as UKHospitality Scotland executive director following Willie Macleod’s decision to retire.

Thompson joins from VisitScotland, so is well used to networking with ministers, government officials and industry stakeholders. He starts work on 4 May and says: “I am very much looking forward to joining UKHospitality, spearheading its work in Scotland and building upon Willie’s success. From my work at VisitScotland, I know that this sector is an immensely diverse and exciting one.”

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, adds: “He knows the sector inside out and has done brilliant work in positioning Scotland as a world-class tourist destination. I know he will be unstinting in his efforts to ensure we remain the number one advocate of hospitality in Scotland.”

She thanked Willie Macleod for his dedication and determination to ensure hospitality businesses in Scottish communities have had a voice at the highest levels of Government.

Macleod has spent the past decade championing Scottish hospitality businesses, first as Scotland’s executive director for BHA and then its successor, UKHospitality.

He said: “It has been a privilege and pleasure to champion Scotland’s fantastic hospitality sector for ten years during very challenging times – especially now as the industry is on the verge of re-opening and recovering from the ravages of Covid-19.  “This is a vigorous, hardworking, and resilient sector that shows the best of Scottish ingenuity and generosity. It has evolved hugely in the time that I have been promoting its interests and we can proudly say it is genuinely world class.”