David Baldwin, proprietor of Baldwins Omega Restaurant in Sheffield, has been elected chair of the Restaurant Association.

As previous vice-chairman, David succeeds former chair, Nick Scade, proprietor of the New Mill Restaurant in Eversley, Hants, who has held the post for the past three years.

Mr Baldwin, whose restaurant opened more than 25 years ago, has been a member of the Restaurant Association for over 30 years, and was vice-chair for three years.

The new vice-chairman is Robert Walton, proprietor of Trunkwell Mansion House Hotel in Reading.

“Nick has steered the association through a very significant time – chiefly the merger with the British Hospitality Association (BHA),” said Baldwin.

“While the Restaurant Association is able to retain its own identity, our combined lobbying activities on such topics as promoting the skills agenda, influencing a new guide to food safety regulations, and working on behalf of the industry to overcome initial teething problems with Chip and Pin, mean we can now put forward much stronger arguments on behalf of the industry.”

He added, “I’m determined to continue protecting members’ interests in the best way possible.”

Photograph: David Baldwin