Crerar Hotels boss appointed chairman of UKHospitality Scotland

Chris Wayne-Wills, chief executive of Crerar Hotels, has been appointed as chairman of trade body UKHospitality Scotland.

He was elected by the UKHospitality Scotland committee and takes over from Calum Ross, owner and proprietor of Loch Melfort hotel in Argyll, who steps down after nearly 11 years in the role.

Wayne-Wills, who will work alongside the body’s executive director Leon Thompson, said that he was looking forward to supporting the hospitality sector as it moves toward recovery. “Our businesses are bearing the brunt of the current economic challenges, but collectively we are resilient, innovative and determined to succeed," he said.

He outlined his priorities as chairman of UKHospitality Scotland as ending the current staffing challenges “by working to enhance the sector’s reputation as a career of choice”; pressing for reform of business rates “to make them fairer for hospitality”; and “continuing to argue for the reduction in regulatory and policy burdens”.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, thanked Ross for “providing vital leadership during the pandemic”.

In welcoming Wayne-Wills, she said: “With Chris now at the helm, we move to securing the recovery for hospitality. Scotland’s sector is crucial to the UK’s hospitality and tourism offer.”

Wayne-Wills, who was appointed chief executive of the seven-strong Crerar Hotels portfolio in 2020, has undertaken several high-profile roles in the hotel sector. He was regional managing director of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts for 11 years, regional general manager, Scotland and the north for QHotels from 2015 to 2017, and cluster general manager, Scotland and the north, Marriott International from 2017 to 2020.