Brightstar Hospitality expands management team
Hotel management company Brightstar Hospitality has expanded its management team, including the appointment of Nikhil Gupta as CEO of the group. Nilesh Gangadia alson joins Brightstar as business development director.
Prior to his appointment, Gupta was on the board of Glasgow-based BDL Hotels. Whilst at BDL, he was vice-chairman of IHG Hotel Owner’s Global Revenue Performance Committee, and chairman of IHG’s UK Marketing Forum.
He was also chairman of Wyndham Hotel Group’s UK Marketing Council, and later joined Skyscanner and established its global Hotels and Car Rental business.
Gangadia brings with him “decades” of experience as a hotelier and a developer. During his career, he has developed an expertise in corporate strategy and deal structuring, and has been involved in managing complex development projects.
In addition to their appointments, managing director David Reading and CFO Mike Hurst remain as members of the board.
Reading has experience of operating hotels and oversees the Brightstar operation. He previously worked at Choice Hotels, and then with BDL and Somerston Hotels.
Mike Hurst has over 40 years of accountancy experience and has specialised in hospitality accounts.
Clive Nicholls, chairman of Brightstar Hospitality said: “We are fortunate to have someone of Nikhil’s calibre and experience join Brightstar Hospitality as CEO. He will lead the business through its next phase of growth.
“Nilesh Gangadia joins us as Business Development Director and brings several years of hotel development and deal structuring experience. The changes in management reflects the direction of growth the company will take. We intend to put ourselves in a position to grow into a significant management company not only in the UK, but also internationally.”
Gupta said: “I am honoured and excited to be joining the dynamic Brightstar management team. We have a clear vision to be Europe’s leading hotel management company, and a mission to transform the hotels we manage for our partners. I look forward to working with the Brightstar team and taking the company and our hotels onto greater successes in the future.”
