Jurys Inns to appoint a new chief executive by mid-March 2009

Hotel group Jurys Inns expects to appoint a new chief executive by mid-March next year, following the departure of Niall Geoghegan.

Geoghegan, who has been a member of senior management at Jurys for 15 years, is set to leave the 23-strong hotel chain now that the bedding in process following its takeover by investment firm Quinlan Private is complete.

John Brennan, director of hospitality and leisure at Quinlan and acting chief executive of Jurys, said the recruitment process for a replacement is underway.

“We are going through a search process, and hope to be in a position to announce the appointment by mid-March,” he told Caterersearch.

Brennan said Jurys Inns, which markets itself as “superior budget”, is confident it will be able to withstand the effects of the looming recession.

“There is an opportunity for us there to target corporate customers who are trading down,” he said. “We are emphasising our niche: we are in between what I would call ‘hard budget’ and the four-star full-service properties.”

Jurys Inns, which last week revealed that its latest property, in Sheffield, will open in January, has not ruled out cutting room rates in certain situations, Brennan revealed.

“Tactically, there are some decisions we can make,” he said. “It’s a dynamic process, but value-for-money is the key.”

Quinlan, which owns the Maybourne Group (owner of Claridge’s, the Connaught and the Berkeley), more than 40 Marriott hotels and a number of independent hotels, has been linked with a purchase of the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin group.

Brennan would not be drawn on that, but added that Quinlan was always in the market for opportunities - as long as they are at the right price.

Jurys Inn boss to leave in ‘a few weeks’ >>

Jurys Inn sells 50% stake to Middle Eastern investors >>

Quinlan Private buys Jurys Inn chain in £791m deal >>

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By Daniel Thomas

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