Ireland: Patrick Dempsey, former managing director of Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants, is to become a non-executive director of Dublin-based Staycity.
During his 10 years with Whitbread, Dempsey was credited with doubling the size of its Premier Inn brand to 60,000 rooms. His career in the hotel business began at Forte, where he become managing director of the Posthouse chain as well as the London Forte hotels division. In 2001 he was appointed CEO of Compass-owned Restaurant Associates UK & Ireland.
In 2004 Dempsey joined Whitbread, becoming managing director for Premier Inn in 2005. In 2009 he was appointed managing director of Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants as well as joining the main board as executive director. He was awarded an OBE in 2012 for services to the industry.
“Staycity is one of the leading operators in the exciting and expanding serviced apartment sector,” said Dempsey. “I am looking forward to getting to know the business further and helping take it forward to strengthen its foothold in Europe.”
Staycity CEO Tom Walsh said: “It’s a real coup to secure Patrick as a member of our board of directors. His formidable experience and expertise will be of immense benefit to Staycity as we forge ahead with the expansion of our business. In addition to his board commitment, Patrick has agreed to give more time to working with me on strategy. As a result of a personal investment in the business, he will also become a minority shareholder.”
Dempsey’s appointment comes just days after the annoucnement that Barry Hickey had joined Staycity as development director.
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