Upton, previously deputy chairman for the organisation, is a chartered accountant with 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, and has worked as finance director for a number of hotel, pub and restaurant groups.
He will succeed Paul Dukes, who spent seven successful years at the organisation’s helm but was forced to step down due to ill health.
Upton, whose appointment was ratified at HOSPA’s recent AGM, said: “It is an honour to follow Paul Dukes as Chairman of HOSPA. Under his guidance we have seen HOSPA develop out of the single discipline association of BAHA into a successful association catering for hospitality professionals, not only in finance, but also in the equally important growth areas of revenue management and IT.”
HOSPA also confirmed that David Nicolson, vice president of Finance –Europe for Jumeirah Group will step into the new role of vice-chairman of the HOSPA Finance Community, and Paul Nisbett, finance and commercial director for The Hotel Collection, will take over from Diana Mountain as the Finance Community’s chair.
“We are delighted that Chris Upton, who has been such an excellent deputy to Paul Dukes, is to be the new Chairman of HOSPA; and we welcome David Nicolson and Paul Nisbett to their new roles” said HOSPA chief executive Carl Weldon.
“We are very fortunate to have such a high calibre and experienced team of professionals leading our Association into the next exciting phase of the Association’s growth and development.
“HOSPA would like to offer a very big ‘thank you’ to Paul Dukes for his immense contribution, dedication and commitment to the Association at such a momentous time in its development.”