Effective from Monday 1 April 2024, Nicholls will replace Daniel Davies, who has held the role for the past nine years.
During his time as IoL national chair, Davies oversaw significant development within the organisation, including representing the board at the House of Lords Select Committees and many other key events.
Furthermore, Davies also established the core team for the organisation and instigated additional member benefits including its LINK magazine and has been its longest serving national chair.
Meanwhile Nicholls has been chief executive of trade body UKH since 2018 and was awarded an OBE in 2021 for services to the hospitality sector over the last three decades.
Clear legacy
Regarding her new appointment, Nicholls said she was “delighted to be joining the Institute”.
She continued: “I’m looking forward to working with our members and wider stakeholders across the many facets of the licensing landscape.
“Having been involved in licensing matters for many years, I know how integral it is to hospitality businesses, and working towards excellence in this space is exactly the right goal.
“I’d like to thank Daniel for all his work over the past nine years and for his commitment to the Institute of Licensing.
“As its longest-serving Chair, he has left a clear legacy that I hope to build upon during my time as Chair.”
The institute has also elected David Lucas as its vice chair alongside existing vice chair Gary Grant, effective immediately.
Exciting future
Lucas has been chair of the IoL’s East Midlands Region since 2008 and has been involved in much of its work, including working closely with the IoL team and supporting a number of stakeholder groups such as the National Licensing Forum and Local Alcohol Partnerships Group.
He is also a member of the national board of Best Bar None, the Committee of National Pubwatch, and a Consulting Editor of Paterson’s Licensing Acts.
Lucas said: “During my time with the IoL, I have been able to meet a large number of members, many of whom have become friends.
“I therefore regard it as an honour to be elected as a vice chair and would like to thank Emma McHugh for my nomination and the members of the board for placing their trust in me.
“We are all extremely grateful to Davies for the tremendous contribution he has made to the development of the IoL and wish him every success in his ongoing commitment to the regeneration of New Brighton.
“I look forward to an exciting future under the guidance of our new chair, Kate Nicholls OBE, and will continue to provide my support to her and all those who are dedicated to the growth of the institute.”
