People: Birmingham Hospitality Association; Richborough

The Birmingham Hospitality Association has announced two new appointments to the Executive Board of the Birmingham Hospitality Association (BHA).

Emma Morgan, general manager of Malmaison and Nicola Underhill, general manager of Hilton Metropole, NEC have been endorsed as the new joint chairs of the association.

The BHA is a membership-led, not-for-profit consortium of hospitality venues across the Birmingham City region.

It aims to create a space where members can offer support, knowledge and valuable insight to assist their businesses while working collaboratively to promote hospitality as a career of choice and market the region as a desirable destination.

Morgan brings with her 5 years of experience working in Birmingham city centre.

She said: “I am thrilled to be made joint Chair of the Birmingham Hospitality Association at this exciting time. I want to build on some of the existing strong relationships across the region and encourage partners to work together to promote the city as a destination of choice.  We have so much potential and I want to ensure that we are working with a common purpose to promote our business and leisure offer and optimise opportunities.”

Underhill has worked for large-scale hotel and venue businesses for several years, having started in the industry at 14, and will take on the role of extending membership and stakeholder partnerships beyond the city centre to encourage better engagement and inclusion.

She said: “Many senior managers working in hotels and venues found their career almost by accident working part-time or whilst studying. However, hospitality is a truly rewarding career and there are many benefits and unexpected rewards as well as a multitude of opportunities for growth, career development and travel.  Emma and I are excited to share our experiences of working in the hospitality sector and to encourage young people to find out more about the wide range of career options and opportunities it has to offer.”

A land and housebuilding specialist who started her career at land promotion firm Richborough ten years ago has returned to the company.

Hannah Deverell has rejoined the Birmingham-based company as disposals director, where she oversees the sale of land to residential and commercial development partners.

Most recently Deverell worked at Keepmoat as Senior Land and Partnerships Manager, and before that was at Ilke Homes and Redrow Homes.

Hannah Deverell

She first joined Richborough in 2014 in a business support role, and worked her way up to the post of land and planning Manager, with Richborough supporting her through a master’s degree in environmental and spatial planning.

She said: “I knew very little about the industry when I started at Richborough 10 years ago, but their support kickstarted a brilliant career journey and I’m thrilled to be back where it all began. Everyone continues to be super approachable, friendly and passionate about the business.

“Richborough is undergoing exciting growth which will have a huge impact on the delivery of much-needed future housing and development. This new role allows me to utilise my  experience of managing and acquiring land to efficiently and effectively manage disposals, ensuring the best service and value for all parties.”

Jordan Gresham, group disposals Director at Richborough, said: “Known as the Richborough Way, Richborough goes the extra mile to design future schemes that are high-quality, deliverable and leave a lasting legacy, and Hannah’s in-depth disposals knowledge will enhance this process.

“Her well-rounded experience together with her resolute demeanour make her a stellar addition to the team.”