New director for Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism

The University of Derby has appointed a new director for its Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism (CCHT), based at its Buxton campus.

Brendan Moffett, who is currently chief executive officer at Nottingham-based company Marketing NG, will take up his new post in April.

He will oversee the delivery of degree courses at the Devonshire Dome for students who aim to work in hospitality disciplines such as events management, tourism, culinary arts and spa and wellness management.

University Provost, Professor Malcolm Todd, said: “I am delighted with this appointment and look forward to working with Brendan to drive forward our ambitions for CCHT. Brendan has a wealth of relevant experience of working with industry in the region and nationally.

“We are determined to ensure that our students have the best possible opportunity to develop the skills they need to pursue their career ambitions. We have hugely talented staff at Buxton delivering a superb programme of degree courses, complemented by excellent work placement opportunities in the UK and overseas, with some of the most prestigious operators in the hospitality and tourism industries.

“As a result, our CCHT graduates are going into the workplace highly-skilled, knowledgeable and motivated.”

Professor Todd added: “It is an exciting time for the University of Derby in Buxton, and Brendan’s appointment is another important development for us.”

Mr Moffett is a fellow of the Institute of Place Management at Manchester Metropolitan University and sits on the Midlands Engine Tourism Group, which works closely with Visit Peak District.

He is a member of other hospitality and tourism bodies, including the Core Cities Tourism group and the Nottingham Hospitality Association.

He has also created platinum partnerships with the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University to support student recruitment, international relations, knowledge exchange and innovation.

Mr Moffett said: “I am very excited to be joining the team at Buxton. I aim to help make the CCHT the best hospitality and tourism school in the UK, and one of significant international standing.

“This is a great opportunity to lead an outstanding team in an iconic location. I'm excited about the future possibilities and the opportunity to work with staff and students at Buxton. We want the University of Derby in Buxton to be renowned for the quality of its teaching and its graduates throughout the hospitality and tourism industries.

“We will continue to open doors for CCHT students, present and future, to come and learn here and to benefit from our excellent links with business, to ensure they are completely ready to begin their careers by the time they graduate.”

For more information about the University of Derby’s Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism at Buxton, visit https://www.derby.ac.uk/