Keith Griffiths appointed managing director of Starboard Hotels

Starboard Hotels has appointed Keith Griffiths as its new managing director as founder and current MD Paul Callingham moves into the role of chairman.

Griffiths is set to take up the post in September, following a career including 18 years with Atlas Hotels, where he was most recently managing director and before which he was operations director, and general manager of Briggens House hotel in Hertfordshire.

As part of the group's strategic growth plans, Griffiths will lead the senior management team from Starboard's headquarters in Beaconsfield, while Callingham concentrates on further developing the hotel portfolio.

Griffiths said: "Starboard is at a fantastic stage in the development of the company. It has grown so rapidly in the course of the last few years to the point that it is now a substantial sized business. There is a lot to do so that we continue to build and develop on this success over the coming months and years. I will work with the strong management team to optimise the existing business and continue to grow Starboard together with Paul."

Callingham added: "This is an extremely exciting phase in the growth of our company, and I know that Keith will be passionate about our portfolio and doing the best by the people within it… Keith will be 100% focused on driving and building the business. As chairman, I will focus on growing the portfolio through further acquisitions, development and financing… We wish Keith a hearty welcome to our family."

Starboard Hotels owns and operates 20 hotels, soon to be 21, and employs more than 500 people. The group's portfolio includes the Cliffden hotel in Teignmouth, Devon; Windermere Manor in Cumbria; and several properties across brands including Ibis Styles and Holiday Inn Express.

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