Principal Hayley has appointed former Malmaison executive Paul Nisbett as its chief operating officer, the hotel and conference group announced today.

Nisbett, who was financial director for Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, will be responsible for driving the development of the group as it expands across Europe and Russia.

The move has come as a surprise, after Malmaison chief executive Robert Cook told Caterer in April that Nisbett was leaving to “start his own business”.

Nisbett, who has also worked at Forte Hotels, Hilton Group, Red Carnation and the Meridien UK, said the ambition of the business was “a strong attraction” to him.

Principal Hayley, which is backed by private equity firm Permira, has 20 properties throughout the UK and Europe, including the St David’s Hotel & Spa in Cardiff and the Met in Leeds.

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By Gemma Sharkey

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