Acclaimed South Australian hotelier David Basheer has taken over from David Canny in the role of President of the National Australian Hotels Association.
The Association (AHA) announced Basheer was elected unopposed to the position. Paul Palmer from the Northern Territory will serve as Vice-President, and long-serving AHA NSW President Scott Leach is the new national Senior Vice-President. Ben Carpenter from Tasmania will continue as Secretary/Treasurer.
And Stephen Ferguson has renewed his contract as AHA national CEO.
Leaving the top job, Canny, who is still President of AHA Victoria, will remain on the national board and executive team. He offers that Basheer is his ideal successor.
“David’s depth of experience in the hotel sector is just what our industry needs to keep momentum moving forward at the national level,” Canny said.
Basheer, who is current President of AHA SA, thanked his outgoing predecessor.
“David Canny is not only a great publican and a great leader – he is also a great human being and I would like to thank him for his tireless work over the last few years as National President,” Basheer said.
A third-generation hotelier, Basheer hails from a well-known Adelaide sporting family. A self-confessed AFL ‘tragic’ he was once President of the Port Adelaide Magpies.
Having grown up at the Kalangadoo Hotel, he says “I live and breathe hotels” and currently operates the Strathmore Hotel, Woodville Hotel and Sailmaster Tavern with his wife Trina and son James.
“It’s an honour to be elected National President and I’ll be working closely with the board and the CEO Stephen Ferguson on the challenges our industry faces at the Federal level.”
