As part of a strategic growth and brand development move, hospitality management company, GG Hospitality has brought in former Island Hotels Group CEO Winston J. Zahra as chief executive. CFO, Andy Floyd and head of PR and communications, Kate Greville have also been appointed in newly created roles to strengthen the company’s leadership team.
Winston, Andy and Kate join group operations director, Stewart Davies in completing the company’s executive management team. The team will focus on expanding the business and elevating its growing portfolio of brands, which include Hotel Football, Cafe Football, GG Events and Catering, as well as the soon to be launched five-star boutique hotel, Stock Exchange Manchester – building on the company’s success and reputation for delivering innovative and exciting hospitality experiences.
Winston brings to GG Hospitality over 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. As former co-owner and CEO of Malta based Island Hotels Group Holdings plc, Winston played an integral role in its growth over a 25 year period. He was more recently instrumental in taking the group public and subsequently managed its sale to International Hotel Investments (IHI) plc. Winston remained involved with the executive management of the IHI plc business for two years up until December 2017.
Andy Floyd has been brought in as GG Hospitality chief financial officer. Andy has vast corporate finance experience, having previously held the role of commercial financial director at property and development company, Bruntwood Ltd. Andy joined the GG Hospitality team at the end 2017, after 12 years with Bruntwood.Andy’s focus will be on supporting the growth of the group with a specific emphasis on fundraising.
After two and a half years in the Middle East as managing director of Dubai and Abu Dhabi based agency Q Communications – with clients including Burj al Arab, Rosewood Hotels, Starwood SPG and Shangri La – Kate Greville joins as head of PR and communications. Kate will build, drive and accelerate activity across the GG Hospitality portfolio, leading the in-house communications team in supporting overall business objectives.
Group operations director, Stewart Davies has been with GG Hospitality for more than three years. As general manager he was instrumental in the highly successful launch of Hotel Football Old Trafford, as well as the conception of the Cafe Football brand. Stewart has over 20 years’ of experience in the hospitality industry having previously been general manager of City Inn Manchester and, after its change in ownership, Double Tree by Hilton.
The strategic executive appointments bring a wealth of valuable experience, expanding capabilities and in turn present a number of opportunities for the company.
Winston Zahra, GG Hospitality CEO said: “Joining a unique and ambitious company like GG Hospitality is very exciting. As part of a new business model and with the support of Stewart, Andy and Kate, as well as the extremely talented wider team, I’m looking forward to driving continued growth and am fully committed to leading the business and the brand into its next level of expansion.”
GG Hospitality co-owners Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs commented: “Our new executive team is made up of experts in their fields. Winston is an experienced CEO and an outstanding leader. He brings a track record of reshaping businesses while simultaneously driving outstanding financial performance. Stewart has been instrumental in the success of the business since he started working with us in 2015, while Andy and Kate have produced exceptional results throughout their prospective careers. We’re looking forward to seeing what the next chapter will bring for GG Hospitality.”