Our Experts

Chief Executive & Founder

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

TENNIS

Tim has over 30 years of hospitality experience predominately within the private equity and investment sectors. As Chief Executive of Four Corners Hospitality Group, Tim offers owners and investors global leading hotel ownership support.

Before this he was CEO of Aprirose Real Estate Investment looking after their hotel portfolio.

Tim also served as Chief Operating Officer of London & Regional Properties, being responsible for their global hotel portfolio. Under his leadership, Tim transformed it into being one of the most prestigious and diverse hotel portfolios in the world delivering outstanding results.

Prior to this, Tim was VP Asset Management of Westmont Hospitality Group, being one of the largest privately owned hotel portfolios in the world and had full responsibility for their European hotels. Tim was also managing portfolios of hotels within the UK starting his career as General Manager with international branded hotels.

Chief Operating Officer

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

TAE KWON DO

Kym has been in the hotel business for over 25 years, and is one of the most accomplished and recognised, Sales, Revenue Management, Distribution & Marketing specialists in the European hotel sector.

Joining her previous company Aprirose from Michels & Taylor Ltd, where she was a founding partner & board member for 11 years, Kym’s experience in the hotel industry spans a wide variety of senior positions across the UK, European and global markets.

Her impressive track record within several major hotel companies and many independent organisations includes IHG’s UK & European Revenue Director, Marriott’s UK Revenue Director, Hilton’s UK Revenue Director, Le Méridien’s Middle East, Africa & Asia Revenue & Distribution Director and Whitbread’s (Premier Inn) head of Revenue & Distribution.

Non-Executive Director

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

GOLF

Peter brings a wealth of global hospitality experience spanning over 30 years to his role as Non-Executive Director on the board of FCHG. As a highly respected and influential leader in the industry, he offers invaluable strategic vision and guidance to support the acceleration and growth of FCHG's business.

As Founder and former CEO of Hospitality People Group, Peter built an executive search company that placed over 5,000 hospitality professionals into senior leadership positions worldwide. He has an unmatched network and his finger on the pulse of industry talent and trends.

More recently, Peter served as Executive Chairman of the hospitality division at Magna Global, developing hotels on a worldwide basis. In addition, he was a main board director of the Stafford Hotel Collection advising ownership on strategic direction. His breadth of operational knowledge and financial acumen equipped him to significantly impact the Collection's performance.

Previously, Peter held critical senior finance roles driving profitability for global hotel giants including Finance Director EMEA at Hilton and Finance Director EMEA at Holiday Inn Inc. a publicly quoted company.

Peter's rare mix of strategic vision, leadership experience at both large corporations and boutique companies, expansive network, understanding of talent management, and financial expertise make him a tremendous asset to FCHG. His insight and counsel will be indispensable as FCHG accelerates growth and cements its position as a leader in the hospitality industry.

SVP Finance & Business Support

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

TABLE TENNIS

Sylvia's extensive involvement in the hospitality sector spans over 30 years. During her 15-year tenure in Dubai, she held a senior finance position in the corporate office of the Jumeirah Group. In this capacity, Sylvia not only effectively managed financial risk and supported governance, but also played a pivotal role in driving growth. Her contributions extended beyond Group Financial management, encompassing collaborative efforts with senior regional and departmental directors to shape financial strategies and guide strategic business planning. Sylvia's capabilities extend to seamlessly interacting with operational managers and confidently presenting to diverse audiences, including Board members, Asset managers, and Owners.

Now, as she joins the FCHG team, Sylvia's wealth of experience is poised to add significant value. Her return from Dubai in 2015 was marked by a successful venture with her husband, during which they achieved remarkable success in launching, running, and revitalizing a splendid Edwardian house in the Scottish Borders. This endeavour led to its transformation into a prestigious 5-star, 3 Rosette Restaurant with Rooms. Her proven expertise and accomplishments are set to enhance the capabilities of the FCHG team in exciting new ways.

VP FINANCE

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

SWIMMING

Jon & Robin ensure our hotels & resorts maintain and increase financial value over the lifecycle of the term. With an unrivalled expertise in all-things-finance relating to hotel P&Ls, financial processes and driving efficiencies, we know our assets and their teams are in the best financial hands. Our veritable ‘financial-fixers’!

Jon has worked in the hospitality sector for over 25 years, predominantly in financial and operational procedures, having worked in a number of high profile financial roles and company board positions in both the UK and USA, in multi-site units and Head Office positions.

Over the past 6 years Jon has managed acquisitions and new developments with independent hotels and brands including IHG, Accor, Hilton, Best Western and Wyndham. Having constructed major investment appraisals and delivering large-scale hotel refurbishment programs to strict time scales, and on budget; ultimately achieving significant increases in asset value.

Jon’s experience led him to developing and rolling out new digital concepts to support acquisitions, disposals, bank funding, compliance, IT, revenue management and HR.

Specialising in building dynamic teams and processes, motivating staff to drive growth, increase efficiency, cost effectiveness and bottom-line profit.

VP Finance

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

LONG DISTANCE WALKING

Jon & Robin ensure our hotels & resorts maintain and increase financial value over the lifecycle of the term. With an unrivalled expertise in all-things-finance relating to hotel P&Ls, financial processes and driving efficiencies, we know our assets and their teams are in the best financial hands. Our veritable ‘financial-fixers’!

Robin has over 30 years of hospitality experience predominately in Financial Control and Systems. He is currently VP Finance of FCHG and previous to this, has been doing troubleshooting and pre-opening projects in the UK. Robin previously worked for London+Regional within the hotels asset management team improving financial performance and management reporting.

Robin spent 16 years in Spain where he was Financial Controller for several luxury establishments such as the Rey Juan Carlos I in Barcelona and Finca Cortesin in Malaga. When he returned to the UK, he spent 3 years as Group Financial Controller for a small group before setting up his own consultancy. Robin specialises in increasing efficiency in the finance function, drawing from his vast experience of software and systems coupled with a very varied experience, he ensures hotels have strong financial control while keeping the finance teams streamlined and efficient.

VP Commercial and Food & Beverage

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

SAILING

Claire takes care of our hotels & resorts’ Commercial (Sales, Marketing, PR and Revenue Management) efforts across the board. Whether at granular or strategic level, all-things Commercial runs through Claire’s DNA, with a heightened passion and focus on Events and Food & Beverage sales and operations - from initial creative concepts, planning and coordinating to the development and implementation of amazing Food & Beverage concepts & processes, in line with short, mid and long-term strategies. Across all commercial lines of the P&L Claire is the authority, compounded by her ever-evolving tech knowledge and expertise in this space.

Claire’s an all-rounder, having worked in the Hospitality sector for over 30 years. With an enviable career starting in F&B, Events and Operations, followed by a path that took her from F&B commerciality, to sales & marketing and Revenue Management for Marriott UK & Ireland, through to General Manager roles in signature hotels.

A transformational and inspirational leader, Claire specialises in re-positioning and redevelopment, notably across the luxury and resort sector, mixed with Event destinations and Gateway locations. With a keen eye on gastronomy, and a reputation for outstanding service levels, her length & breath of knowledge is second to none.

Food and Drink Specialist Advisor

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

ATHLETICS

Antoine is our food and drink guru, bringing expertise in concept development and launch, operational design, food and beverage identity, staff recruitment and training. He is a strategic award-winning hospitality Director with 25 years global experience.

Graduated from Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne with a Diploma for Higher Studies in Hotel & Restaurant Management, Antoine spent the initial years building his career in Europe & Asia.

His track record consists of opening 18 restaurants and 4 hotels (The Fife Arms, Sunday Times 2019 Best Hotel in UK, The Ned, Farmhouse, Oxfordshire and Six Senses Laamu, Maldives) in 5 different countries. His focus has been on improving business performance as well as maximising growth and delivering hospitality and excellent customer services.

In the past two years Antoine has launched a platform offering in-person hospitality experiences in the comfort of Londoner’s homes. While launching HOMETAINMENT He has also been involved as a consultant with the Marbella Club and Nobu Ibiza as well as working as Operations Director for co-working brand Mason & Fifth & Non Executive Director for the Mr & Mrs Smith Bingham Riverhouse hotel in Richmond.

Brand & Concept Positioning Expert

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

CYCLING

Leigh will support our own brand and our hotels with Brand Positioning and follow through of concept delivery. With overall project management and product development to ensure our clients values and concepts are executed through various channels and briefs are all met.

Leigh is a professional, dynamic and enthusiastic commercial strategist and has over twenty-five years’ experience in the luxury lifestyle hospitality industry with a strong record of achievement and demonstrated success. With a passion for re-positioning of key brands in the global marketplace with effective Sales, Marketing, PR and Revenue strategies, Leigh brings a wealth of knowledge to the team.

Recent projects have included working for The Lakes by YOO, 10 years with Iconic Luxury Hotels, where having joined Chewton Glen in 2011 as Sales and Marketing Director and after acquiring Cliveden, the role evolved and in 2013, the role became the Commercial Director for Iconic Luxury Hotels. Pivotal in bringing The Lygon Arms into the portfolio whilst creating the Iconic Luxury Hotels brand, then came the management contract for 11 Cadogan Gardens and out of the pandemic The Mayfair Townhouse was successfully launched.

VP Acquisitions

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

JAVELIN THROW

Nicolas de La Chaise joins FCHG as the VP of Acquisitions and gives us exclusive access to a unique network of off-market assets worldwide and provides us with a sourcing advantage customised to meet the needs of our investors. Nicolas is a seasoned sales professional with over 20 years of experience working with major companies such as GAN Insurance Group, Jacob Javits Convention Center, iBAHN, and Locatel with a speciality in connecting buyers and sellers in the hotel market worldwide. During a six-year tenure in New York, Nicolas worked as a Key Account Manager for luxury hotels, international hotel chains, trade-shows, conferences, and special events, providing high value-add technology solutions.

Nicolas developed key accounts with prestigious groups including Four Seasons, Hilton, Marriott, Accor, Reed Expo, GL Events, Freeman Decorating, Concorde Hotels, and Louvre Hotels Group, representing sales volumes of tens of millions of Euros.

In 2011, Nicolas founded Business & Hospitality, a company that specialises in off-market hospitality deals. The company has been instrumental in closing discreet hotel deals with various hotel owners & operators across Europe, investment funds, hotel groups, single owners, family offices, and high-net-worth individual investors. Nicolas is a sought-after off-market hospitality expert, providing exceptional services to clients, and we are delighted to have him join the FCHG family.

VP Transaction & Acquisition Services

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

HORSE RIDING

Is all about seeing a transaction through from start to finish. Working with several disciplines, Ali helps our clients execute any type of transaction from acquisition to disposal, providing support, assistance and services that extend to financial modelling, market research and risk analysis.

With over 25 years’ experience in hospitality, Ali has project managed a variety of hotel sale transactions, including one of the highest value UK transactions; the disposal of 12 hotels for in excess of £858 million. Alongside this complex transaction Ali has also managed many single asset transactions with values starting at £2.5m to over £25m.

Throughout her career Ali has also led many other projects including the selection and installation of accounting, asset monitoring, time, attendance and payroll systems. Ali has also been instrumental in the restructuring of many hotels’ finance functions, major insurance claims and many other projects throughout her career.

VP Marketing

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

FIELD HOCKEY

Maeri Howard is a seasoned digital marketer who transitioned from traditional marketing to embracing the ever-changing opportunities that digital marketing offers.

Maeri works with organisations to strengthen engagement and ROI through tailored campaigns and collaborates with executives to enhance their digital marketing strategy. As a qualified content creator, she crafts compelling campaigns that attract qualified leads and drive results.

Maeri also knows that data is king when understanding how to best achieve results so she is not afraid of working with the numbers to create success.

FCHG is delighted to have Maeri’s enviable experience within the family, At the core of her extensive background lies a unique perspective that allows her to understand the DNA of what makes a company stand out and prioritises using this knowledge to create content that is of value to the marketplace.

Maeri has been a featured speaker on digital marketing best practices for The BBC, Time Inc. and industry events.

SVP Property and Project Management

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

TENNIS

Alan is our Property & Project Management professional.

He is literally top of his game at managing our clients’ hotel refurbishments, development projects, cost management, building surveying, designer services, FF&E procurement and disaster recovery.

Alan has worked within the construction industry for over 30 years and is a highly respected, commercially minded operator within his field with an enviable network of globally renowned clients and contacts.

In his current role as Managing Director of Fitzsimons, Alan has worked with some of the world’s leading hospitality brands including IHG, Hilton, Marriot, Hard Rock, Guoman and various other independent operators.

In 2017 he was the project director for the delivery of the award-winning Spyscape Museum in New York.

VP Learning, Development & Wellness

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

BIATHLON

Rachel Shackleton is a seasoned hotelier who transitioned from Food and Beverage to Human Resources, Learning, and Development, specialising in hotel openings across countries like Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Russia, and the UK.

Rachel founded Concept Training and Development Services in 1996, ranking among the top learning and development companies in St. Petersburg and Moscow from 2000 to 2015.

Rachel works with organisations to strengthen their culture and performance through lifelong learning and development and collaborates with executives to enhance workforce engagement and leadership culture. As a qualified Kinesiologist and Medical Herbalist/Naturopath, she restores clients' health and vitality mentally, physically, and emotionally.

FCHG is delighted to have Rachel’s enviable experience within the family, another example of its leading-edge and contemporary proposition and service offering to our partners and clients. At the core of her extensive background lies a unique perspective that prioritises the growth and well-being of both individuals and teams.

Rachel's expertise has been featured in Thrive Global, Authority magazine, and Business Week. She has also been interviewed on the Rick Nuske Business Show and presented at the Health summit in Geneva.

VP People

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

KARATE

Our guru for any expert advice and support, from HR policy navigation & compliance to implementing procedures and development of teams, making sure we achieve our talent-management goals, both internally and across our assets.

Auriol is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD with over 20 years’ strategic and operational HR experience. Her background spans multiple industries from leisure and hospitality to technology and manufacturing.

Her experience includes leading HR functions for global and UK based businesses, focussing on strengthening organisational effectiveness through enhancing people capability and productivity.

With a full generalist HR background, she has led and delivered a wide range of people initiatives, including successful integration of businesses following large scale mergers and acquisitions.

Her commercial mindset and excellent communication skills enable her to connect people priorities to business goals, reducing cost and enabling competitive advantage.

Auriol is a pragmatic and passionate individual, collaborative in style, with a proven track record of delivering results.

VP Executive Resourcing

Fantasy Olympic Gold Medallist:

SAILING

Paul leads our retained Executive Resourcing function;

A unique, tailor-made service that attracts highly-skilled, experienced, top-performing executives to fill senior vacancies with an organisation.

He seeks the proverbial needle in a haystack, to plug talent gaps using diverse, global and timely techniques & tactics. Paul is one of the most well-networked Search Experts in the hospitality, leisure and tourism arena.

Initially as a hotelier himself Paul held various senior General Manager positions, and has over twenty years of International Executive Search experience cultivating a terrific network across the industry at all levels.

Paul is a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, for the last 6 years sitting on the supervisory board supporting their restructuring and membership growth.