George Demetriou, the man who has built up the successful Cedar Court Hotels business, is retiring from the day to day management of the group he founded more than 50 years ago when he arrived in England from Cyrpus in 1957 aged 19 – to work at a friend’s coffee bar in Halifax.
Since then, he has built up Yorkshire’s largest independent hotel chain of five hotels, including the luxurious five star Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa in York.
Kevin Henry, group finance director, takes on the role of group managing director, whilst John Horvath continues as hotel director, and assumes full responsibility for the group’s hotel business.
George Demetriou commented:
“After spending over 50 years growing the business to the point where it now encompasses five hotels, a portfolio of investment properties and two coffee bars, the time has come to step aside and allow others to build the future success of the business.
“I have been lucky enough to see my greatest dream realised – to create a five-star hotel in Yorkshire – so the time feels right to pursue new interests.”