The Bahamas Hotel and Restaurants Employer’s Association yesterday announced its new Chairman of the Board of The Bahamas Hotel Industry Management Pension Trust Fund.

Robert Sands is succeeding former Board Chairman J. Barrie Farrington, after a seven-year tenure.

The new appointment is effective April 1, 2016.

Mr. Sands is not new to the board, as he has served as trustee back in 1988.

He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Government and External Affairs at Baha Mar Ltd.

The new chairman is experienced in the hotel industry having served as general manager of hotels in Nassau and in the Caribbean.

In 1993, he was the recipient of the cacique “hotelier of the year” award for outstanding contributions to the development of tourism in the Bahamas.

In 1997, he was awarded The Bahamas Silver Jubilee Medal for Tourism.

Mr. Sands also serves as President of The Bahamas Hotel and Restaurants Employer’s Association.

The Bahamas Hotel Industry Management Pension Fund was formed in 1980 to secure retirement benefits for managerial employees in the hotel and allied industries.

Apart from Mr. Sands’ appointment, other trustees of the board include Peter F Maguire, Ernest G Cambridge, Barbara V Hanna-Cox, Carlton D Russell, Angela Culmer-Hinsey, Francis “Ted” Adderley, Earle R Bethell and Vaughn Roberts and Michael C Reckley.

In addition, Sr. Vice President at Atlantis Karen Carey was appointed to serve as a trustee of the Fund.