IoH appoints Martin Traynor OBE as director
Traynor stepped down from his key government role on 31 March 2024 after five years of promoting the needs of small businesses within the UK government
The Institute of Hospitality (IoH) has appointed Martin Traynor OBE FIH, the retiring small business crown representative at the UK government’s cabinet office, to its board of trustees as a non-executive director.
The appointment comes as a direct result of feedback from His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council that the work of the institute is not widely known across the government and for its Chartered Status application.
As an advisor to the government, Traynor will utilise his experience and existing UK government network to help the institute deliver this request and help it progress towards achieving Chartered Status. A mission that would create the hospitality industry’s first chartered body.
Traynor stepped down from his key government role on 31 March 2024 after five years of promoting the needs of small businesses within the UK government.
He has previously been a member of HM Government’s Regulatory Policy Committee and has held roles including deputy chairman of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK, group CEO at the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce and a variety of non-executive roles.
The institution said he brings a “wealth of knowledge, experience and passion” for the hospitality sector, having held a number of general manager positions in the hotel sector and is a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality of 27 years standing.
Traynor said: “Having been a member for over 40 years, I am delighted to be able to play a part in helping the Institute achieve Chartered Status. This is an important next step for the Institute recognising over 85 years of providing professional support for its members. I look forward to working with Robert and the Team to achieve this important goal”
Robert Richardson FIH MI, CEO of the IoH, added: “One of the Institute of Hospitality’s strengths is the variety of experience on our board, and our newest trustee complements that breadth of knowledge with expertise from his many years working within the UK Government.
“I am delighted to welcome Martin as a trustee, and I look forward to working closely with him. The Institute will greatly benefit from drawing on his expertise from various senior roles within government and help the Institute in its ambition to become a chartered professional body.”