HATS Network has welcomed the appointment of Dr Nikki McQuillan of Ulster University Business School to its Executive Steering Group.

As an employer-led network, HATS brings together a diverse mix of businesses from across the hospitality and tourism sector in Northern Ireland alongside industry associations and key delivery partners to collectively address issues around sector image, attractiveness and skills development into and within the sector. This appointment helps strengthen the Executive Steering Group by incorporating representation from higher education.

Nikki joins a strong line-up of steering group members:

• Ciaran O'Neill, Managing Director, Bishops Gate Hotel Derry – HATS Network Chairman

• Judith Owens, Chief Executive, TBL International Ltd

• Janice Gault, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Hotels Federation

• Vicky Green, Associate Director, Andras House

• Marian O’Hara, Human Resource Manager, The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast

• Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience & Industry Development, Tourism NI

• David Roberts, Director of Strategic Development, Tourism NI

• Linda Jamison, Collaborative Growth Manager, Invest NI

• Niall Casey, Director, Skills and Strategy Solutions, Invest NI

Roisin McKee, HATS Project Director & Director of NI, People 1st International comments:

“We’re delighted to welcome Nikki to the Executive Steering Group. Collaboration amongst industry and delivery partners is a fundamental principle of the HATS Network so we’re pleased to encompass representation from higher education on the board. Nikki’s skills and experience will offer a real boost to the steering board. We very much look forward to working with Nikki and drawing on her extensive knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm to support our aims.”

Dr Nikki McQuillan is a senior lecturer at Ulster University Business School, in the department of hospitality, tourism and event management.  Prior to this, Nikki was co-founder and director of the Streat Franchising Ltd and a Fellow of the CIPD. Recently Nikki has taken on the role of course director for the new provision for Ulster’s level 6 degree apprenticeship in international hospitality management. This provision services a pipeline of higher-level apprentices who have completed Level 5 at partner colleges and desire to achieve a degree apprenticeship, in a seamless progression pathway.

Nikki says:

“As a new member of the HATS Network, I am excited about the potential to collaborate to support skills development into and within the sector. At Ulster University Business School, we’re looking forward to working flexibly with HATS to collectively address issues around sector image, attractiveness, and skills.”