Matt Townley named chair of Manchester Hoteliers Association

Matt Townley, group operations director at Dakota Hotels, has taken over as chair of the Manchester Hoteliers Association (MHA) from predecessor Adrian Ellis.

It comes after Ellis, the former general manager of the Lowry and 2022 Hotelier of the Year, announced he will be retiring this month after a “very fulfilling” 40 years in the industry.

The MHA is a not-for-profit organisation formed of 70 hotels across the city that exists to raise funds for local and industry charities.

It also encourages people to consider a career in hospitality through its mentorship schemes with Manchester Metropolitan University and its recently expanded Hospitality Connect programme for school leavers.

Townley, who has been with the Dakota group for over six years, is also a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, chair of the North region and a Master Innholder.

He said: “Having been a part of the MHA for eight years, I can confidently say that there is no other organisation that is so passionate about the promotion and development of hospitality and tourism in our region. It’s an honour to have the baton passed on to me, and I will continue to advocate for our vibrant and growing hotel scene in Manchester.

“There are big shoes to fill, and it’s a privilege to receive this opportunity; I look forward to working with my colleagues in Manchester to champion the MHA and raise the profile of the growing hospitality sector in the city region.”

The MHA was founded in 2011.