Tim Rumney, who becomes interim CEO
Rob Paterson is stepping down as chief executive of Best
Western Hotels GB, three years after joining the group, which represents
almost 300 independently owned hotels in the UK. Paterson joined the group from Village Hotels.
Independent hotelier and current chairman of the group, Tim
Rumney, will take over from Paterson later this month as interim CEO for at
least six months to ”provide stability and continuity for employees and hotels
within the membership organisation”.
The group said that the business has been experiencing “the
most challenging times in its history” and even converted some hotels into hospitals
during the peak of Covid 19, and pioneered housing keyworkers and vulnerable
groups in their hotels to safely shield them from the virus.
Rumney said: “It has been a pleasure working alongside Rob
since 2018, where his commercial acumen and hospitality expertise has truly
benefitted our brand portfolio. At a time where hospitality businesses are
still suffering, I am proud to be stepping in as interim CEO for the brand, to
continue the great work Rob and his team have been doing throughout the
pandemic, to best support our hotels.
“We have exciting opportunities ahead of us to refocus the
organisation for our members as we emerge from the pandemic and move into the
recovery mode as a more effective commercial business whilst retaining our ‘by
hotelier for hotelier’ ethos.”