Cotton named as chairman of National Skills Academy

Bob Cotton, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, was today named as chairman of the new National Skills Academy for Hospitality.

The Academy, which is backed by £100m of government funding, is expected to see 65,000 learners passing through in the next five years.

The Academy bid, given the green light last week, was co-ordinated by sector skills council People 1st, along with employers including Barcelo Hotels, Compass Group, Terry Laybourne and the Edge Foundation.

Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, said: "We are delighted to announce Bob's appointment as chair for the National Skills Academy. He has demonstrated his absolute commitment to improving skills for the hospitality industry.

"People 1st and its partners have attracted a massive amount of funding which will now be put into training for hospitality, and we look forward to working with Bob to ensure that the Academy delivers for our industry."

Speaking to Caterersearch, Cotton said his first task will be recruiting an experience chief executive who will be able to spearhead the Academy, ahead of a full launch in the autumn.

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By Daniel Thomas

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