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About HCIMA - History of the Association

Prior to 1971 there were two professional bodies in the cateringindustry - the Hotel and Catering Institute (HCI, created 1949) andthe Institutional Management Association (IMA created 1938). TheHCI's membership was predominantly drawn from the commercial sectorof the industry while the IMA's were largely from the non profitmaking 'welfare sector' - schools, hospitals and residentialestablishments. It was obvious that the industry needed a strongprofessional body to represent its interests as a whole.

In 1970 a joint commission - PACT (Partnership Action Committee)was set up to consider the strategy of bringing together the HCIand the IMA to form a single, professional organisation for theentire industry. PACT prepared a proposal document 'Towards Unity',which detailed the aims and objectives of the new singleprofessional body. After a series of meetings and a vote by membersof both organisations a decision was finally reached. In 1971 theHCIMA was formed with Nat Abrahams (president of the HCI) and DorisHatfield (chairman of IMA) becoming the first joint nationalpresidents. Once established the HCIMA set out to accomplish itsobjectives, to improve its image, promote standards and to attainrecognition as a profession. Membership spanned the entirehospitality industry, reflecting issues, views and needs across allsector interests.

In 1995 the HCIMA substituted the word institutional withinternational, emphasising the fact that it is a trulyinternational professional body. Today the Association has 27 UK Branches and 17 International Groups. Members of the Association are represented in all sectors of the industry including hotels, contract catering companies, restaurants, pubs and clubs, as well as leisure outlets, theme parks and sports venues.