Best Western GB CEO to step down

Best Western Hotels GB has announced that Rob Paterson, who joined the group in 2018, is set to step down from the group, while Tim Rumney will step into the role of interim CEO. 

Rumney has been chairman of the group’s board for five years, and a board member for 12 years. He will act as interim CEO for a period of at least six months, providing “stability and continuity” for employees and hotels within the group.  

The group said that both have worked together to “guide the business through the most challenging times in its history”. 

Paterson also appeared alongside Rumney and other BW hoteliers in the national TV series ‘A Great British Hotel Chain’ on Channel 4, which aired in 2020, and saw them “generate record-breaking enquiry levels of hotels wanting to join the brand”.  

Rumney has over 30 years of hospitality experience in hotel groups and the independent sector, having owned and operated multiple Best Western hotels.

He is also an independent hospitality consultant, advising other hotel operators during his career. 

Rumney has reportedly worked closely with Paterson to restructure the business prior to the pandemic, as well as implement a “more proactive” hotel development strategy and advanced technology solutions over the last three years.  

Commenting on the leadership change, Rumney said: “It has been a pleasure working alongside Rob since 2018, where his commercial acumen and hospitality expertise has truly benefitted our brand portfolio. At a time where hospitality businesses are still suffering, I am proud to be stepping in as Interim CEO for the brand, to continue the great work Rob and his team have been doing throughout the pandemic, to best support our hotels.  

“We have exciting opportunities ahead of us to refocus the organisation for our members as we emerge from the pandemic and move into the recovery mode as a more effective commercial business whilst retaining our ‘by hotelier for hotelier’ ethos.”