Ufi Ibrahim will take over as chief executive of the British Hospitality Association on Monday 19 July.

She will take over from Bob Cotton, who is retiring following ten years in the role.

Ibrahim joins the association from the London-based World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), where she was chief operations officer, working with governments and industry across the world.

Her role involved advising the council on policymaking and the development of planning frameworks in travel and tourism.

She joined WTTC in 2000 and prior to that received a BA in leisure and tourism management from the London Metropolitan University. She also recently completed a MBA with the Open University.

She said: "Hospitality is a key pillar of Britain's economy, particularly in the long-term.

"The half a million people collectively employed by BHA members represent not only the best of British hospitality and tourism but also the best of British industry.

"I cherish the responsibility to ensure the alignment of public and commercial policy to ensure British hospitality's sustainable success in what is now a highly competitive international tourism industry.

"I look forward to working with BHA members and UK tourism organisations - and the government - to advance hospitality's role as a generator of employment and prosperity across the United Kingdom."

Departing chief executive Bob Cotton said: "I leave in good heart, knowing that the association will go from strength to strength under my successor, Ufi Ibrahim, who will, I know, recognise that being chief executive of the BHA is the best job in hospitality."