Hastings Hotels announces new chairman and managing director

Hastings Hotels has announced that its longest serving director, Edward Carson (pictured right), has retired as chairman and has been succeeded by Howard Hastings (centre).

Meanwhile, James McGinn (left), who has worked for the collection of Northern Ireland-based hotels for 25 years as operations director and general manager of the Europa hotel in Belfast, has been appointed managing director. Carson has retained his board membership as a non-executive director.

Following these changes, Andy McNeill, general manager of the Culloden Estate & Spa, will return to oversee the Europa in the same role.

Niall Burns, who previously worked for Hastings Hotels as the deputy general manager of the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, and most recently as general manager of Lyrath Estate in County Kilkenny, will replace McNeill at the helm of the Culloden.

Hastings said: "As we emerge from the pandemic, Hastings Hotels is confident that it does so with a very strong team. I would like to thank Edward Carson in particular for his lifetime of dedication and commitment to the company and am delighted that he will remain on the board.

"I am also thrilled that we are able to acknowledge and harness the talents of individuals who have come through the ranks to attain a senior status in the company, and while it is ‘welcome back' to Niall Burns at the Culloden Estate, my fellow directors and I wish him, Andy McNeill at the Europa and James McGinn as managing director, our very best wishes as they take on their new roles."