Posted:15-October-2008
DUNCAN BERRY TO LEAD CHOICE HOTELS EUROPE IN UK
Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH), the global hotel group behind the Comfort, Quality, Sleep Inn and Clarion brands and one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world, has appointed Duncan Berry to the position of Chief Operating Officer for Choice Hotels Europe, Choice’s UK subsidiary. He will be responsible for overseeing franchise business development in the UK, enhancing services provided to Choice Hotel Europe’s existing franchisees, as well as the day-to-day management of Choice Hotel Europe’s operations in the UK.
Choice Hotel International currently franchises more than 5,600 hotels worldwide and is keen to grow further the number of European franchises. Mr Berry has over six years experience leading franchise operations and joins Choice Hotels Europe from retail franchise group, Cartridge World, where he was UK General Manager before being promoted to Director of European Franchising.
During his tenure at Cartridge World he was responsible for the development of the franchise brand and grew its network of stores from 30 to just under 300 in the UK in a three year period, cementing Cartridge World’s position as the market leader in its sector. He also had responsibility for nine Master Franchisees across Europe and brought the European market together to operate as one brand. Previously he worked for Venture Marketing Group, the company that provides a marketing portfolio of franchisee recruitment initiatives.
In late 2006 Choice Hotels International re-acquired the rights to its brands for Continental Europe and in February this year began directly operating its UK business, Choice Hotels Europe, completing restructuring plans for Europe.
Duncan Berry, commented: “I am pleased to be joining Choice Hotels Europe at such an exciting time in its development. Choice Hotels Europe is keen to enter into third-party direct franchising agreements with UK-based companies and individuals and I am delighted to be leading that effort.”
Mark Pearce, Choice Hotels International’s Vice-President of International Operations, commented: “We welcome Duncan to Choice Hotels Europe and believe his tremendous understanding and experience of franchising will help us grow our UK business further by securing new franchisees in order to open new hotels.”
Choice Hotels Europe is one of the world’s largest hotel groups with over 500 hotels across Europe alone. The portfolio of franchisee hotels offers business and leisure travellers a full spectrum from premium economy to luxury hotels.
