David Fairhurst, senior vice president, chief people officer at McDonald’s, has been appointed chairman of People 1^st, the sector skills council for the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry.  

Fairhurst succeeds Don Davenport, who becomes president of People 1^st in recognition of his commitment to the organisation over many years and his continuing dedication to improving skills, training and education in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector.

Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1^st, says: “David’s succession to the position of chairman, after two years as vice-chairman, sets a new focus on our ambitious development programme to transform skills as we approach the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”