Expanded role for ALMR's Kate Nicholls

Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) head of communications Kate Nicholls has been appointed as the group's strategic affairs director and deputy to the chief executive.

Nicholls has worked with the ALMR since 1998, initially as an external consultant and since 2003, in-house with responsibility for public affairs and communications.

ALMR chairman Tim Sykes said: "The ALMR has a leadership role in the relationships with Government and elsewhere so as to improve members' business and our collective reputation.

"Kate has been instrumental in our success and in our ambition to be increasingly influential. This new title reflects her continuing valuable contribution at the heart of ALMR."

Chief executive Nick Bish said: "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."

In 2009 Nicholls became secretary of the new Independent Pub Confederation, the umbrella group formed after the end of trade mediation talks over the beer tie that includes the ALMR, Fair Pint, the Guild of Master Victuallers and the Campaign for Real Ale.

She also has roles in the Westminster Licensees Association and the Lap Dancing Association.