PACE is the representative body for hospitality and catering further education with a regional and national network of members. The previous chair Dr Molly Shaher emigrated to the Arabian Gulf to take up a teaching position at a university there.
Commenting on his appointment, Holden said: “I am looking forward to carrying on the amazing work of my predecessor Dr Molly Shaher to which I would like to give my heartfelt thank for the work she did. I look forward to being in touch with all my colleagues in the sector soon, along with taking the association forward over the next 12 months.”
PACE aims is to encourage catering educational institutions to work together to manage the challenges of continual change within hospitality and catering education and training.
A spokesperson for PACE added: “We understand the value of strong and mutually-beneficial partnerships with those sharing the goal of positively shaping hospitality and catering educations to the advantage of everyone.
“Representing further education colleges, with links to universities and schools, our members account for a significant amount of expenditure and purchases across food, beverages, catering equipment, training materials and service agreements.”