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Choice Hotels Europe, part of Choice Hotels International, the group behind the Comfort, Quality, Sleep Inn and Clarion brands, has expanded its Franchise Development team in order to grow its UK business further.
Andrew Horder has been appointed Franchise Development Manager for Choice Hotels Europe in the UK, with responsibility for growing third-party franchise agreements with independent hotels and hotel groups in the UK, a key part of its recently unveiled growth strategy.
A veteran of the hotel brokerage industry, Andrew joins from Savills Commercial where he was a Director responsible for advising on the sale, appraisal and development of a number of hotels, serviced apartments and other leisure properties both in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Previous to Savills, he worked for Atisreal, the European provider of integrated commercial real estate services, and Christie & Co’s European hotel brokerage business, where he represented a number of international hotel groups.
Duncan Berry, Chief Operating Officer, Choice Hotels Europe, commented, “We are keen to work with individual hoteliers and independent hotel groups who want to benefit from the global brand presence of Choice Hotels International and experience that Choice Hotels Europe can bring. As one of the largest pure global hotel franchising companies, Choice Hotels International and Choice Hotels Europe have the expertise, support and scope to help our franchisees succeed. Andrew’s deep experience and knowledge of the hotel sector will be instrumental in helping us achieve this growth.”
Choice Hotels International, one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world, was recently named the world’s 13th fastest-growing franchise company by US-based ‘Entrepreneur’ magazine. The company currently franchises more than 5,800 hotels worldwide and has a global pipeline of 1,108 hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development.
Choice Hotels Europe’s portfolio of franchised hotels offers business and leisure travellers a full spectrum from premium economy to luxury hotels. The company franchises nearly 500 hotels across Europe alone, including 47 here in the UK that will soon benefit from an enhanced brand standards programme to be rolled out during 2009. Its new design-led Quality Hotel Maida Vale, London is on track to open later this summer.
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