A LAKE District hospitality professional has been named as the new CEO of the prestigious business group.

Hotelier and hospitality professional Tim Rumney was appointed full-time head of BWH Hotel Group GB, which incorporates Best Western Great Britain and WorldHotels Great Britain, after serving as interim CEO since August.

Having served as Chairman of the BWH Hotel Group board of directors for four years, and director since 2009, Tim has been at the heart of the organisation during a significant period of expansion and change working closely with past CEOs, and therefore represented a natural and unanimous choice by the board.

Tim Rumney, CEO of BWH Hotel Group GB, said: “I am delighted to take on the position of CEO full time at BWH Hotel Group GB, in a time of great challenge and great opportunity for the hospitality industry, and I owe so much of what I have learned from 30 years in hospitality to my time in the Lake District.

“Working in hospitality and running a hospitality business is a difficult and challenging, but supremely rewarding career choice, especially in an area as sought after and beautiful as the Lakes.

“With such a variety of local businesses within the industry, and such high standards set, I have seen the best the industry has to offer here and learned so much about the many challenges it faces.

“As CEO I will take all these lessons forward to fight our corner, and ensure our collective voice is heard.

“We have a fantastic team in BWH Hotel Group GB and Beacon, and I look forward to working with our hotel members and other stakeholders in driving and developing the business as we recover from the impact of the pandemic.”

Tim has replaced the former CEO Rob Paterson, who had been in post since 2017.