Macdonald Hotels chief executive departs after a year

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has confirmed chief executive Tara O'Neill has left the business “by mutual consent, to pursue other opportunities”.

She assumed responsibility for the group's 30 hotels and five holiday resorts in Britain, as well as four resorts in Spain, in December 2020. Her appointment followed group managing director Gordon Fraser's decision to retire from an executive role.

A spokesperson for Macdonald Hotels & Resorts said: “We can confirm that Tara O'Neill has left her role, by mutual consent, to pursue other opportunities. We wish her well for the future.”

A qualified chartered accountant, O'Neill worked in professional practice in both Ireland and the UK with Arthur Andersen and KPMG before moving into the hospitality sector, with senior roles at Luminar Leisure and the Jamie Oliver Group, where she served on the board for several years. She was also previously chief executive of Irish hospitality and retail brand Avoca.