Accor appoints new MD of operations at MGallery and Mercure hotels

Hotel group Accor has appointed Jonathan Sheard as managing director of operations at MGallery and Mercure hotels in the UK and Ireland.

Sheard joined Accor in 1992 as general manager for Novotel Sheffield. In 2006, he became director of operations, Novotel UK and later became director of operations for Mercure UK.

Mercure has more than doubled its UK footprint this year, with 70 hotels, and last month announced a franchise deal with Jupiter Hotels, the new owner of the former Jarvis hotels.

MGallery, Accor's upscale brand, launched in the UK last month with St Ermin's hotel in St James, London.

Jean-Jacques Dessors, chief operating officer of Accor UK and Ireland, said: "Jonathan has great knowledge of the UK market and extensive experience within Accor where he has played a key role in the repositioning of Novotel as well as being instrumental in the growth of Mercure hotels. His knowledge of operations will be incredibly valuable as we continue to follow our ambitious expansion plan to open 300 Accor hotels in the UK by 2015."

Jonathan Sheard, managing director of operations for MGallery and Mercure hotels, added: "This is a really exciting time for MGallery and Mercure hotels in the UK. We have ambitious growth plans and both brands are well positioned in the upper and midscale markets to attract new partners to Accor. I am extremely proud to be working with these great brands at such an interesting time."

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By Neil Gerrard

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