John McNamara to lead the BII

03-Sep-2001

John McNamara, currently director of the Hospitality Training Foundation (HtF) Commercial Division, has been appointed to succeed Mary Curnock Cook as Chief Executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping. He will take up his post on January 2, 2002.

John has a wide commercial background gained in the financial services industry and in training and development. During his tenure at HtF he has been responsible for the organisation's awarding body and its training delivery arm. Throughout this period John has been associated with several BII projects and has therefore had considerable exposure to the Institute's work. He has already gained a substantial reputation within the hospitality sector.

John's appointment followed an extensive search and interview programme involving several members of the BII's Council who are confident that John will successfully lead the Institute through its next phase of development.

Mary Curnock Cook, who left the Institute at the end of August, commented: "John is a first class candidate from a strong field and I am genuinely pleased to hand the reins over to such a capable and well-respected player. I wish him every success." ends]

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Notes to editors: Brian Maughan is Acting Chief Executive until John McNamara takes up his new appointment.

Biographical notes on John McNamara: Prior to his appointment at HtF, John spent 22 years in the Financial Services industry with Nat West. In this part of his career he held management posts, successively in Staff Development and Training, Retail Banking, and Corporate Finance.

During his time at the HtF, he has taken every opportunity to promote the present and future training and development aims of the Hospitality Industry. He is also Chairman of the UK Federation of Awarding Bodies, which represents the common aims of 44 members, to the Regulators, Funding Authorities and other key influence groups.

He is married to Caroline, living in Essex with their children.

If you require a photograph of John McNamara, please send an e-mail titled JM Photo Request to george@bii.org and one will be sent by return.




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