September 21, 2016– Leading hotel management company Interstate Europe Hotels & Resorts today announced that Managing Director for the UK Robert Crook will be retiring and hospitality executive Nicholas Northam will join the team from 24 October 2016. Robert will continue in an advisory role to the Company through 2017.
As Managing Director for the UK, Northam will play a pivotal role in the company’s growth, leading Interstate’s UK senior management and support teams to continue providing superior returns for hotel owners. Northam brings more than 33 years of hospitality and leadership experience to the role, including more than two decades of hotel operations oversight for 63 Marriott properties with Whitbread Hotel Company, and most recently, ten years as Vice President – Asset Management with Realstar Hotels, overseeing a portfolio of 35 properties.
Jim Abrahamson, Interstate Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, said: “I want to thank Robert for his invaluable contributions and passionate dedication in leading a dynamic operation in the UK. Under his leadership, Interstate has gained tremendous momentum and built an excellent reputation with a team who is focused on providing exceptional service to our owners and guests, and delivering terrific results.”
As Managing Director for the UK, Northam will report directly to Kenneth McLaren, Interstate Europe’s Executive Vice President-International Operations.
McLaren said: “I’m delighted to welcome Nick to the team in such a pivotal role. He is a top-quality executive whose strong client and performance drive matches well to lead us in the UK during an exciting time for the company. His wealth of experience, a shared vision for success, exceptional owner relations and deep industry relationships will continue our journey forward alongside our top-quality, seasoned team of hospitality professionals.”
During Robert Crook’s time with the company, Interstate’s portfolio has reached 80 properties including signed pipeline. Collectively, Interstate Europe Hotels & Resorts comprises 106 hotels – including signed pipeline – in 10 countries across the UK, Europe and Russia/CIS.
Crook said: “The decision hasn’t been an easy one to make – the company is experiencing a fantastic period of growth and thanks to the expertise of the senior management team, we’re expanding our portfolio of hotels at a rapid rate. However, after more than 17 years with the company, I’ve decided to turn my focus to my family life, with overseas travel at the heart of that plan and hand over the reins to Nicholas.”
Northam said: “It’s an honour to be stepping into Robert’s shoes. The company has been through some big changes under his leadership, we have an excellent pipeline of new hotels under development, with a further 22 properties signed and scheduled to open over the next two years.
The senior management team that’s in place at Interstate is incredibly skilled and each member has a wealth of specialist experience they bring to their roles. I’m looking forward to working with them to continue taking the company forward and building value for our hotel owners in the months and years to come.”
Interstate Europe Hotels & Resorts is the UK’s only exclusively third-party hotel management company, with 80 properties including signed pipeline.
For further information about Interstate Europe Hotels & Resorts, visit www.interstatehotels.co.uk
