ALMR chief executive David McHattie in "listening mode"

“I’m in listening mode, speaking to members and understanding the sense of history and relationships within the ALMR. The fundamentals are all robust, so I won’t be ripping anything up or changing the people,” said McHattie.

“I’ve been brought in to consolidate what the ALMR has achieved in the pub sector in the last 18 months and to continue the growth curve; to ensure our members are better represented and get a better deal; and to extend the ALMR’s capabilities and reach.”

At its AGM this week, the ALMR restated its ambition to establish itself as the voice of the operator and vowed to use that position to deliver sustained and effective campaigning on the core issues that matter to retailers.

Association chairman Steve Richards, chief executive of Novus, thanked Bish for his service and said: “The ALMR has seen sustained growth in numbers, revenue and reputation year on year and, in our 21st year, we have really come of age. We have used that strength and depth of membership giving us ever greater success in campaigning on the issues that matter most to operators’ bottom line – on tax, on employment, on planning and licensing. We are at the forefront of resisting the worst excesses at local and national level and promoting the positive benefits our sector brings.”

The AGM saw the re-election of members of the Council, the adoption of new Articles of Association and provided an opportunity for members to meet McHattie.

The operator council members are:

Nick Griffin, Pleisure Ltd

John Hayes, Goodfella’s

Philip Lay, SA Brain

Gary Mallen, GC Mallen

Steve Richards, Novus Leisure

Becky Salisbury, Salisbury Pubs

Kevin Sammons, Pub People Company

Toby Smith, Stonegate

Tim Sykes, Beds & Bars

Philip Thorley, Thorley Taverns

Brian Whiting, Whiting & Hammond

Paul Wigham, All Our Bars