ALMR promotes Kate Nicholls to strategic affairs director

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has appointed Kate Nicholls to the positions of strategic affairs director and the association's deputy chief executive.

Nicholls had previously been the ALMR's communications director. The move means she now works full-time at the trade body and will see her combine her new roles with her continued involvement with the Independent Pub Confederation as ALMR representative.

Speaking to ThePublican.com​, Nicholls said her new role would mean she was more closely involved in the development and implementation of the ALMR's strategy.

"I want the ALMR to become even more responsive to the needs of all operators, ensuring the interests of community pubs through to those trading on the high street are represented to the powers that be," she said.

Nicholls said she was "cautiously optimistic" that the message about the value of pubs was getting through to government, although she wanted to see the "warm fuzzy feeling MPs give off when they talk about pubs translated into action".

"We need to communicate to MPs that there is more to the community pub than an attractive village pub with roses round the door. Pubs at the heart of their community can be anywhere in the UK, in towns and villages, and while [pubs minister] Bob Neill seems to have got that message we need all pubs to get actual support," she added.

Tim Sykes, the ALMR's chairman, welcomed Nicholls' appointment, saying she had been instrumental in the association's success both inside and outside Westminster "and in our ambition to be increasingly influential. This new title reflects her continuing valuable contribution at the heart of the ALMR".

Nick Bish, the ALMR's chief executive, added: "Kate combines her very considerable public affairs skills with real ownership of the issues that affect pubs and bars today.

"She is an asset to the ALMR and to our industry."

Nicholls began her ALMR career in 1998 as an external consultant, taking on the association's communications role in 2003.