Richard Lewis appointed chief executive of Northern Powerhouse Developments Hotels

Richard Lewis, former boss of Best Western Hotels GB, has been appointed chief executive of Northern Powerhouse Developments Hotels (NPD) to expand its 12-strong portfolio and increase profitability.

After leaving Best Western in 2015, Lewis spent the past two years in Dubai as chief executive of Landmark Hotels, the operator of nine properties in United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

NPD currently has six hotels operational in Wales, including the 40-bedroom Fourcroft hotel in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, which it bought in January for around £1m. A further six hotels are currently closed while undergoing refurbishment. They include the 56-bedroom Dunsmore Hall hotel in Bourton-on-Dunsmore, Warwickshire, and the 96-bedroom Atlantic Bay hotel in Woolacombe, Devon.

The hotels are all managed by Giant Hospitality, the operating division of NPD.

Lewis said he is "thrilled" to have joined NPD and now intends "to help develop what is already an incredibly exciting and ambitious business model" across the UK and Europe. The company is looking to expand to 45 hotels over the next five years.

Gavin Woodhouse, chairman of NPD, said that Lewis will help take the company to "the next level".

He added: "His track record and experience within the hotel and hospitality industry speaks for itself and there is nobody better equipped to deliver and oversee the successful operation of a portfolio of hotels than him."

Lewis spent four years as chief executive at Best Western, having previously worked for the Savoy Hotel Group, Forte, Le Meridien and Preferred Hotel Group.

He joins Peter Moore, a former tourism advisor to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, who recently joined NPD as chairman of leisure.

Northern Powerhouse Developments acquires Tenby's Fourcroft hotel >>

Richard Lewis leaves Interchange & Consort Hotels >>

Richard Lewis appointed chief executive at Best Western >>
Videos from The Caterer archives

Are you looking for a new role? See all the current hospitality vacancies available with The Caterer Jobs