Hospitality boss stepping down after four years

Friday 30 July 2021

The CEO of Jersey Hospitality Association has been praised for turning the trade body into a “thriving organisation that stands up for the interests of a large section of Jersey businesses” as he announced he would be stepping down after four years.

Simon Soar, who first joined the JHA as Manager in 2018, will be leaving in October to take on a new role as Head of Hospitality and Tourism at Jersey Business.

In 2020, he was recognised for his efforts to help the JHA’s 230 members through the pandemic, with a Bailiff’s citation and two nominations for an IoD Award.

His latest efforts on behalf of the industry, which has been hard-hit by covid in the third wave, have included calling for less testing of direct contacts, and a new covid policy placing less emphasis on testing and more on hospital admissions.

He has also been discussing potential further funding support for the industry with Government.

“Before Simon became CEO, the JHA was facing an uncertain future but working with the Committee, he has turned that around and we are now a thriving organisation that stands up for the interests of a large section of Jersey businesses,” said JHA Committee Chair Tim Hubert.

“I would like to personally thank Simon for all that he has done for the JHA. This has been an incredibly difficult year for our industry and Simon has been relentless in his desire to make sure we were not left behind by the effects of the pandemic. A lot of people owe him a huge debt of gratitude and I want to be the first to say how much we will miss having him as our CEO.”

Pictured: The JHA has around 230 members, spanning hotels, restaurants, bars, cafés, and travel and event businesses. 

Mr Soar said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the JHA, even when facing some of the less than desirable challenges of the last year. I have been supported throughout by the JHA Committee who shared my vision of bringing our membership together so that we remain stronger as one. My new role at Jersey Business will see me working closely with the JHA as we develop the strategic aims for the industry in a post-covid environment. It will be a huge but exciting challenge, which means I will continue to work very closely with the JHA and its members. 

“Without a doubt, this has been a devastating time for the industry but every day I have witnessed how hard its members work to ensure as many of their staff as possible will continue to have a future in this industry. I am not going far, but I will greatly miss working on behalf of those who have worked so hard throughout this crisis.”

Jersey Business CEO Graeme Smith added: “We have been working closely with Simon and the JHA for a number of years and I am looking forward to seeing how he will build on that great relationship as he develops his new role. In these uncertain times, it is important that we continue to forge strong links between the Government and businesses and this role that Simon is taking up will be vital to that.”