HIT Scotland mark 30 Years with New Leadership Team

As we mark HIT Scotland’s 30th anniversary, we are proud to announce the appointment of Alan Halliday as Chair and Chris Wayne-Wills as Vice Chair, ushering in a new era of leadership.

Alan Halliday, a Trustee for over 23 years and former Vice Chair of HIT Scotland, takes over from Angela Vickers of Apex Hotels, who has led as Chair since 2018. Chris Wayne-Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotels, steps into the Vice Chair role, with a strong focus on nurturing future hospitality leaders.

Our CEO, David Cochrane MBE thanks Angela Vickers for her transformative leadership: “HIT extends its heartfelt thanks to outgoing chair Angela Vickers. Angela’s dedication and insight have been pivotal in HIT Scotland’s success, and her leadership has greatly advanced our cause. Her commitment to the hospitality industry will leave a lasting legacy.”

30 years of HIT Scotland

Since 1994, HIT Scotland have supported the hospitality sector, funding scholarship experiences to upskill and inspire hospitality talent. In 2024 we reached a significant milestone, awarding our 7,000th scholarship, all made possible by industry support and donations.

In 2023 alone, 414 scholarships were awarded across Scotland with 92% of recipients saying it would help them progress in their career and 94% believing it would enhance their current roles.

We host around 24 annual industry events, with over 3,000 attendees from 250 companies, and raising more than £150,000 through auctions alone. These events, from black-tie dinners to sports matches, provide important fundraising and networking opportunities for industry professionals.

Introducing New Leaders

The leadership changes come at a pivotal moment as we continue our mission to provide inspirational development for the Scottish hospitality industry 30 years on from the inception of HIT Scotland. 

Alan Halliday, with his extensive business experience from Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd, Brakes, and currently as a McDonald’s Franchisee, brings a wealth of business acumen and deep strategic insight to his new role where he will continue to drive impact.

Halliday says: “It’s an incredible honour to step into the Chair role during HIT Scotland’s 30th anniversary. I’m committed to building on our strong foundation and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in our industry.”

Incoming Vice Chair Chris Wayne-Wills boasts over 25 years of leadership experience and a passion for developing future leaders. A former recipient of the HIT Scotland Leadership Scholarship and Trustee since 2020, Chris is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Wayne-Wills says: “I look forward to working closely with Alan and the rest of the team to advance our mission and support up-and-coming hospitality talent.”

David Cochrane adds: “We are thrilled to welcome Alan Halliday and Chris Wayne-Wills as Chair and Vice Chair of HIT Scotland, as they set out to continue the remarkable work Angela helped establish. 

“With their extensive experience and passion for the hospitality industry, I am confident their leadership will be instrumental in advancing our initiatives and amplifying our influence.”

For the complete list of HIT Scotland Trustees, please visit Our People page.