Choice Hotels International, the global hotel group behind the Comfort, Quality, Sleep Inn and Clarion brands, has announced a new management team to spearhead the company’s continuing growth in the UK.

Duncan Berry has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Choice Hotels Europe, Choice’s UK subsidiary.  He will be responsible for overseeing franchise business development in the UK, enhancing services provided to Choice Hotels Europe’s existing franchisees, as well as the day-to-day management of Choice Hotels Europe’s operations in the UK.

Choice Hotels International currently franchises more than 5,600 hotels worldwide and is keen to grow further the number of European franchised hotels.  Mr Berry has over six years experience leading franchise operations and joins Choice Hotels Europe from retail franchise group, Cartridge World, where he was UK General Manager and Director of European Franchising. Previously he worked for Venture Marketing Group, a company that provides a marketing portfolio of franchisee recruitment initiatives.

Duncan Berry, commented: “I am pleased to be joining Choice at such an exciting time in its development.  Choice is keen to enter into third-party direct franchising agreements with UK-based companies and individuals and I am delighted to be leading that effort.  Our new management structure will provide stronger direct support to current and new franchisees, and positions us to strengthen the Choice brand and grow the business in Europe.”

Brian Garvan joined Choice Hotels Europe earlier this year as UK Sales Director. Brian has more than 10 years’ travel industry experience, including key management positions with Hotelzon International, Amadeus, Pegasus Solutions, WorldRes and Active Hotels. In addition to building Choice Hotels Europe’s UK sales team, Brian is responsible for developing strong relationships with TMCs, travel agencies and consortias to increase business, leisure and group travel sales.

Choice Hotels Europe’s marketing strategy is being led by Amy Ziegenfuss, its UK Director of Marketing.  An experienced marketer, Amy was previously with Choice Hotels International in the US were she drove the overall management and strategic planning of the company’s North American advertising and brand building activities. She moved to the UK last year to join payment services company MoneyGram and oversee marketing and advertising throughout Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific.  Abigail Murphy has also joined as Marketing Executive from Millennium & Copthorne Hotels.

Mark Pearce, Choice Hotels International’s Vice-President of International Operations, commented: “We welcome the entire team to Choice Hotels Europe and look forward to Duncan’s leadership. We believe his tremendous understanding and experience of franchising will help us grow our UK business further.  In addition to securing new franchisees and opening new hotels, we intend to achieve greater brand awareness, develop stronger relationships with the travel trade and drive bookings to our website.”