Whitbread makes key appointment as it eyes London expansion

Whitbread has appointed a project and programme manager as it looks to expand Premier Inn’s London footprint.

 

Premier Inn’s owner has appointed Sam Murphy as project and programme manager as it looks to reach 98,000 rooms by 2030, with a particular focus on the capital.

 

Murphy will lead the delivery of newbuild Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels within the capital and the wider south-east.

 

The company operates more than 100 Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels within the M25 and is targeting a further 40 locations across the capital.

 

Premier Inn is onsite or in the advance stages of planning at three central London locations and recently secured planning permission for a giant 693-bedroom hub by Premier Inn development on the Strand, which is expected to commence in 2025.

 

Murphy is Whitbread’s fifth new hire into its development team since January as it continues to invest in its UK and Ireland expansion programme.

 

Simon Lancaster, head of construction for Whitbread in London, said: “London is a very attractive market for Premier Inn and our sister brand hub by Premier Inn. Our established network of trading hotels performs well and with budget brands representing a smaller share of the total hotel market in London compared to the UK overall, we see substantial potential for growth.

 

“Sam’s appointment strengthens our busy team of project managers who are focused on delivering the next generation of Premier Inn hotels for our customers. He will be hitting the ground running, working directly on our pipeline of freehold and leasehold construction projects across the capital and advising our in-house property acquisition team on the deliverability of new hotel developments.”

 

Last month Whitbread confirmed it had accepted offers on 51 branded restaurants and bars for £56m as it looked to focus on its hotel arm. 

 

The business also reported an adjusted profit before tax of £340m, slightly shy of £391m recorded in H1 FY24.