Institute of Hospitality chief joins AHA advisory board
Richardson’s appointment follows other recent additions to the aha board, including Mark Lewis, chief executive of Hospitality Action

Register to get 1 more free article
Reveal the article below by registering for our email newsletter.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
Robert Richardson, chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality, has joined the advisory board of the Accessible Hospitality Alliance (AHA).
Richardson has led the institute, the global professional body for managers working in hospitality, leisure and tourism, since 2021.
His appointment follows other recent additions to the aha board, including Mark Lewis, chief executive of Hospitality Action.
Richardson has placed diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at the centre of the institute’s agenda.
Its diversity council has called on employers to recognise both visible and hidden disabilities, a focus shared by the alliance, which aims to improve accessibility across the sector.
Richardson said: “I am delighted to join the AHA advisory board and contribute to advancing our industry’s journey toward genuine accessibility and inclusion. Creating spaces that welcome everyone is not only the right thing to do, it will strengthen hospitality as a whole.”
Robin Sheppard, co-founder and chair of AHA, added: “Robert has driven significant, positive change at the Institute of Hospitality, expanding membership both across the UK and globally. We are confident his voice on our advisory board will help us accelerate the progress we’ve already made.”