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Management

The board comprises of the Chairman, Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and a number of Non-executive Directors.  

Adam Crozier 2340 Cmyk

Adam Crozier  Chairman 

Career

Adam was Chief Executive of ITV plc from 2010 to 2017. During his time as Chief Executive, ITV was transformed into a global media player of scale, delivering consistently good growth and with increasing emphasis on international content creation and distribution.

Prior to ITV, Adam was Chief Executive of Royal Mail, where he led its modernisation and transformed it from a heavily loss-making position to profitability.

He has also been CEO of The Football Association and joint CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi.

Adam has served as Chairman of Vue International and ASOS.

Committee membership

  • Remuneration Committee
  • Nomination Committee (Chair)

Leadership tenure

Appointed Chairman March 2018
Adam previously served on Whitbread’s Board as an independent non-executive director from April 2017

Nationality

British

External appointments

  • BT Group plc (Chairman)
  • Kantar Group (Chairman)
  • Great Ormond Street Hospital Discovery Appeal (Trustee)
Dominicpaul

Dominic Paul Chief Executive

Career

Dominic is an experienced senior executive, with a very strong operational and commercial record in the travel, leisure, and hospitality sector, with a track record of growing and transforming brands both in the UK and internationally.

Dominic was previously a member of the Whitbread Executive Committee and Managing Director of Costa Coffee for three years, before serving as CEO of Domino’s Pizza Group Plc where he led the business through the COVID pandemic and has delivered a strong period of sales growth and value creation and aligned all stakeholders behind a growth strategy for the future.

Previously Dominic was Senior Vice President of International with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line where he led the business through a period of strong growth. His extensive experience in the travel and leisure industry also includes senior roles at easyJet, British Midland and British Airways.

Leadership tenure

January 2023

Nationality

British

Hemantpatel

Hemant Patel Chief Financial Officer

Career

Hemant joined Whitbread in 2018 as UK Finance Director, having previously been Finance Director of Greene King Pub Co. He also worked at Asda-Walmart for 11 years, carrying out various management roles including Commercial Finance Director, Director of Own Label and Director of Strategy. He also had several finance roles over six years at Mars, Inc.

He was Chair of the Royal Armouries Museum and was awarded an MBE for services to museums and heritage in the 2020 birthday honours list. He also received the Arts and Business Individual of the Year
award in 2007 for his work with Interplay Theatre.

Leadership tenure

Appointed March 2022

Nationality

British

External appointments

  • DCMS (Non-executive director, Chair Audit & Risk Committee)
Richardgillingwater

Richard Gillingwater  Senior Independent Director 

Career

Richard retired as Chairman of Janus Henderson Group plc at the end of 2022. He served as a non-executive director of Helical PLC and was former Pro-Chancellor of the Open University. Richard also served as Chairman of SSE PLC from 2015 to 2021.

Richard is a highly experienced executive and has spent much of his career in corporate finance and investment banking with Kleinwort Benson, BZW and Credit Suisse First Boston, before he moved out of banking and became Chief Executive of the Shareholder Executive and then Dean of Bayes Business School.

Committee membership

  • Nomination Committee
  • Remuneration Committee

Leadership tenure

Appointed June 2018

Nationality

British

External appointments

  • Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc (Independent Non-executive Director & Senior Independent Director)
  • Wellcome Trust (Chair of Investment Committee)
Frankfiskers

Frank Fiskers  Non-executive director 

Career

Frank spent ten years from 2007 as President & CEO of Scandic Hotels Group and took the company public in 2015. He has experience in a number of countries in Europe and Africa.

Frank has served as Chairman of Norstedt and Akademibokhandln. He has also served as a board member of the Swedish Hospitality Employers Association, Dame Thomas Foundation for Young People, and the British Hospitality Association.

Committee membership

  • Remuneration Committee (Chair)
  • Audit Committee
  • Nomination Committee

Leadership tenure

Appointed February 2019

Nationality

Danish

External appointments

  • Shurgard Self Storage SA (Non-executive director)
Chriskennedy

Chris Kennedy  Non-executive director

Career

Chris is Chief Financial Officer of ITV plc which he joined in February 2019.

Prior to this, Chris held roles with Micro Focus International plc, ARM Holdings plc and easyJet plc, having previously spent 17 years in a variety of senior roles at EMI.

Chris was voted FTSE100 CFO in 2015.

Committee membership

  • Audit Committee (Chair)
  • Nomination Committee

Leadership tenure

Appointed March 2016

Nationality

British

External appointments

  • ITV plc (Chief Financial Officer)
  • The EMI Group Archive Trust (Trustee)
  • Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust (Trustee)
Kalatwal

Kal Atwal Non-executive director

Career

Kal has over 13 years’ executive committee
experience at BGL Group Limited in various roles, including Founding Managing Director of comparethemarket.com. Kal was also Chair of SimplyCook, a tech-enabled meal kit subscription service prior to its sale to Nestlé.

Kal began her career at EY in Madrid, after which she held a number of operational and strategic roles with Southern Derbyshire Chamber and Northcliffe Media Ltd.
Kal is an experienced strategic leader with
international experience in start-up, scale-up, fintech and digital businesses.

Committee membership

  • Nomination Committee
  • Remuneration Committee

Leadership tenure

Appointed March 2021

Nationality

British

External appointments

  • OSB Group PLC (Non-executive Director)
  • Royal London Group (Non-executive director)
  • Funky Pigeon Limited (Chair)
Davidatkins

David Atkins  Non-executive director 

Career

David was Chief Executive of Hammerson plc, a British property development and investment company, and one of the UK’s largest listed property companies. He stepped down from the position in November 2020.

He is also the former Chairman and Executive Board member of the European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) and past President and a former committee member of Revo, (formerly BCSC).

Committee membership

  • Audit Committee
  • Nomination Committee
  • Remuneration Committee

Leadership tenure

Appointed January 2017

Nationality

British

External appointments

  • OCS Group Limited (Non- executive director)
  • Reading Real Estate Foundation (Director and Trustee)
Horstbaier

Horst Baier Non-executive director 

Career

He was Chief Financial Officer of TUI AG, the London-listed Anglo-German leisure travel group for eight years until the end of September 2018. During his time at TUI AG, Horst played an important role in TUI´s transformation from a tour operator to a global provider of holidays.

Committee membership

  • Audit Committee
  • Nomination Committee

Leadership tenure

Appointed November 2019

Nationality

German

External appointments

  • Ecclesia Holding GmbH, Detmold (Member of the voluntary Supervisory Board)
  • DIAKOVERE  GmbH, Hannover (Member of the voluntary Supervisory Board)
  • Bayer AG (Member of Supervisory Board)
Fumbichima

Fumbi Chima Non-executive director

Career

Fumbi was Chief Information Officer at BECU from 2020 to 2023. Prior to this, Fumbi held similar roles at Adidas, Fox Network Group, Burberry, Walmart Asia’s business operations and American Express global corporate technologies.
Fumbi has more than 25 years of leadership and technology experience in both the retail and financial sectors.

In addition to technology, Fumbi’s background showcases a dedication to diversity, women’s empowerment and inclusion.

Committee membership

  • Audit Committee
  • Nomination Committee

Leadership tenure

Appointed March 2021

Nationality

British

External appointments

  • Women at Risk International Foundation (Director)
  • The Aztek Company (Board Member)
  • WTW (Non-executive Director)
  • Heirs Technologies (Chair)
Karenjones

Dame Karen Jones Non-executive director

Career

Karen is Senior Independent Director at Deliveroo plc and Chair at both Hawksmoor and Mowgli Street Food, having previously served as Executive Chair at Prezzo and Senior Independent Director at Booker plc.

Karen has a wealth of experience in the restaurant, food and hospitality sectors having founded Café Rouge and led the formation of Spirit Group as CEO.  Karen also has strong experience in executive remuneration, having previously chaired the remuneration committees at ASOS plc and Booker plc.

Committee membership

  • Nomination Committee
  • Remuneration Committee

Leadership tenure

Appointed January 2023

Nationality

British

External Appointments

  • Deliveroo plc (Senior Independent Non-executive Director)
  • The Crown Estate (Non-Executive Director)
  • Hawksmoor (Chair)
  • Mowgli Street Food (Chair)
Cillasnowball

Dame Cilla Snowball Non-executive director

Career

Cilla has a wealth of advertising, marketing and digital experience, being made a Dame in 2017 for her services to advertising, diversity and equality.

Cilla started her career in advertising and served as Group Chief Executive at Abbott Mead Vickers BDDO Ltd from 2006 to 2018. Also sitting on the BBDO Worldwide Board, and Chair of both the Advertising Association and the Women’s Business Council.

Committee membership

  • Nomination Committee
  • Audit Committee

Leadership tenure

January 2023

Nationality

British

External appointments

  • University of Birmingham (Council Member)
  • Derwent London plc (Non-executive director)
  • Genome Research Ltd (Non-executive director)
  • Wellcome Trust (Governor)
34942 Compass Shelley Roberts

Shelley Roberts Non-executive Director 

Career

Shelley is currently the Group Chief Commercial Officer at Compass Group PLC, where she is responsible for leading the Group’s Global Clients, Strategy, M&A, Health & Safety, Sustainability, Digital and Procurement functions.

Shelley has vast experience in the travel and hospitality sector, having served as Managing Director of Compass Group’s Australian business and previous to this holding leadership roles at EasyJet, Tiger Airways and Sydney Airport.

Committee membership

  • Nomination Committee
  • Audit Committee

Leadership tenure

Appointed November 2023

Nationality

Austrian

The Executive Committee comprises of the Whitbread PLC Executive Directors and a number of Senior Executives.  

Dominicpaul

Dominic Paul Chief Executive

Career

Dominic is an experienced senior executive, with a very strong operational and commercial record in the travel, leisure, and hospitality sector, with a track record of growing and transforming brands both in the UK and internationally.

Dominic was previously a member of the Whitbread Executive Committee and Managing Director of Costa Coffee for three years, before serving as CEO of Domino’s Pizza Group Plc where he led the business through the COVID pandemic and has delivered a strong period of sales growth and value creation and aligned all stakeholders behind a growth strategy for the future.

Previously Dominic was Senior Vice President of International with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line where he led the business through a period of strong growth. His extensive experience in the travel and leisure industry also includes senior roles at easyJet, British Midland and British Airways.

Leadership tenure

January 2023

Nationality

British

Hemantpatel

Hemant Patel Chief Financial Officer

Career

Hemant joined Whitbread in 2018 as UK Finance Director, having previously been Finance Director of Greene King Pub Co. He also worked at Asda-Walmart for 11 years, carrying out various management roles including Commercial Finance Director, Director of Own Label and Director of Strategy. He also had several finance roles over six years at Mars, Inc.

He was Chair of the Royal Armouries Museum and was awarded an MBE for services to museums and heritage in the 2020 birthday honours list. He also received the Arts and Business Individual of the Year
award in 2007 for his work with Interplay Theatre.

Leadership tenure

Appointed March 2022

Nationality

British

External appointments

  • DCMS (Non-executive director, Chair Audit & Risk Committee)
Rachelhowarth

Rachel Howarth Chief People Officer

Career

Rachel was the Group HR Director with SSP Group PLC for six years, and the Managing Director of the Netherlands division alongside her HR role. During this time, Rachel led a global team delivering people strategy for 40,000 employees across six continents, in 35 countries – including Germany.

Prior to SSP, Rachel spent sixteen years with Tesco Plc, in operational and human resource capacities. Prior to Tesco, Rachel served as an officer in the Royal Air Force, specialising in logistics and supply chain.

Leadership tenure

Appointed July 2021

Nationality

British

Clare Thomas

Clare Thomas General Counsel 

Career

Clare joined Whitbread as General Counsel and Company Secretary in June 2023, having previously held a similar position at Britvic from 2013 to 2023.  Prior to this, she was a corporate/M&A partner at law firm Addleshaw Goddard LLP, where she had a particular focus on FMCG clients.

As well as being General Counsel & Company Secretary, Clare is also the Executive Committee member responsible for Whitbread’s sustainability programme, Force for Good.

Leadership tenure

Appointed June 2023

Nationality

British

Joe

Joe Garrood Chief Commercial Officer

Career

Joe joined Whitbread in December 2023 as Chief Commercial Officer. He is responsible for the Group’s commercial strategy including revenue management, brand development and marketing across the UK and Germany.

Before joining Whitbread, Joe was the Chief Commercial Officer at Pure Gym, the second largest gym operator in Europe with operations in six countries. His responsibilities included commercial management, marketing, insight and analytics for the Group. He also has 20 years’ experience in private equity, executive management and consulting.

Leadership tenure

Appointment December 2023

Nationality

British

Simonewins

Simon Ewins Chief Operating Officer, Premier Inn

Career

Simon is responsible for all Hotel and Restaurants portfolio operations across the UK and Ireland and has worked for Whitbread in multiple senior executive roles for 17 years including :

  • Operations Director, Restaurants Division
  • Business Development Director, Premier Inn & Restaurants
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Director, Whitbread Plc
  • Chief Operating Officer, Premier Inn

A hospitality sector veteran of 30 years, prior to joining Whitbread, he spent time in other large scale hospitality companies, both Plc and Private Equity backed.

Leadership tenure

Appointed October 2018

Nationality

British

External appointments

  • Connexus – Social Housing sector (Non-executive director)
  • Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity – Corporate Board (Board member)
Nigeljones

Nigel Jones Group Operations Director 

Career

Nigel leads Whitbread’s strategy and operations for Technology, Procurement & Supply Chain and the overall Whitbread Transformation Plan, as well as having responsibility for Safety & Security across the business.

Before joining Whitbread, Nigel spent 27 years at Tesco in a variety of senior positions across Stores, Technology, Supply Chain, Procurement and managing all aspects of International Operations and leading the Tesco/Booker merger programme.

Leadership tenure

Appointed August 2017

Nationality

British

Markanderson

Mark Anderson Managing Director, Property and International 

Career

Mark Anderson joined Whitbread in January 2006 and was appointed to his current role in September 2016.

Mark is responsible for the acquisition, development and management of Whitbread’s substantial property portfolio.  He also leads Whitbread’s International businesses, overseeing development and operations in Germany and the Middle East, including management of food & beverages overseas and mergers & acquisitions.

Before joining Whitbread, Mark spent 16 years at J Sainsbury PLC in a variety of senior positions, finally managing all aspects of the property estate.

Mark is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and has a Masters in Business Administration from Henley Business School.

Leadership tenure

Appointed September 2016

Nationality

British

External appointments

  • Great Portland Estates PLC (Non-executive director)
  • Tourism For All UK (Trustee)
Erik Friemuth Final

Erik Friemuth Chief Executive, Premier Inn Germany

Career

Erik joined Whitbread in January 2024 as Chief Executive of Premier Inn Germany. He is responsible for the company’s entire German market and strategic growth in this region.

Previously, as a member of the Executive Committee and Group Chief Marketing Officer at TUI AG, one of the world’s leading tourism businesses. Erik was responsible for the marketing strategy of the entire TUI Group and, as Marketing Director TUI Hotels & Resorts, managed TUI’s own hotel brands such as TUI Blue, Robinson, TUI Magic Life and the Group’s concept hotel brands. Prior to this, Erik worked in senior positions for Vodafone Germany.

Tenure

Appointed January 2024

Nationality

German

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