Former Premier Inn director joins Specialist Leisure Group

Specialist Leisure Group, formerly known as Shearings Leisure Group, has appointed Andrew Francis as managing director of its hotel division.
He joins from Premier Inn (Whitbread) where he was operations director and has also previously held both operational and senior sales roles at Marriott International. Francis takes over from Vince Flower who has recently retired after more than 35 years with Specialist Leisure Group.

Richard Calvert, CEO of Specialist Leisure Group, said: “I am delighted to have someone of Andrew’s ability and track record joining the Specialist Leisure Group team. I’m sure that with his wide range of hotel sector experience he will bring some new ideas into the hotel division, as well as continuing the great job that Vince Flower did over the years for the Group.”

Commenting on his appointment, Francis said: “I am excited to be joining the team and the business at this important time in the evolution of its three hotel brands.  We have a real opportunity to build upon everyone’s brilliant work, by further differentiating the brands to meet the needs of a broader mix of business and the growing expectations of our existing clients.”