UK: Don James, managing director of serviced apartment operator Berkshire Rooms, has been elected deputy chair of the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP).
He will take up the role with immediate effect, and take over as chairman of ASAP when current chair David Smith steps down next year.
James Foice, managing director of ASAP, said: “I look forward to welcoming Don as deputy chairman of the ASAP to represent our members at a time of significant growth in our sector. We have set our sights on more than doubling our membership during the next 18 months, and Don will play a critical part in helping us achieve this key objective. Don has been actively involved in the Association since 2007 and an ASAP Steering Committee member for the last 5 years.”
“ASAP also intends to play a more public role in defending our members’ interests on regulatory and legislative issues that affect our industry and I’m looking forward to working with Don to ensure our members views are taken account of in Westminster, Whitehall, among our peers and in the media,” added Foice.
Don James said: “I’m looking forward to playing a key part in ASAP’s future development at a critical time for our industry. More than 1,400 new serviced apartments have come to the UK market in 2014, a 10% increase on last year, and demand for our products, particularly in London, is fast outstripping supply.
“I am delighted with the confidence shown in me by our members and look forward to working with current chair David Smith, James Foice and the ASAP Steering Group to further build ASAP’s influence, and ensure we continue to deliver full value to our members and associates,” he added.
In separate elections, five new members of the ASAP steering group were appointed.
Emma Righton (Oxford Property Solutions Ltd), Stephen Hanton (SACO, The Serviced Apartment Company), Guus Bakker (Frasers Hospitality UK), Gary Hurst (Citybase) and George Westwell (Cheval Residences Ltd), will join the 12 strong group.
Foice said: “Our new steering group members come from a wide cross-section of the industry, and their experience and enthusiasm will be of enormous benefit to ASAP as we plan ahead for 2015.”
www.theasap.org.uk
www.berkshirerooms.co.uk</p
