Choice Hotels Europe™, UK the subsidiary of Choice Hotels International®  Inc, the global company behind the Comfort™, Quality™ and Clarion® brands and one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world, announced today the appointment of Simon Bullough as Franchise Development Manager.

As a key part of the company’s strategy to grow its UK business further, Simon will be responsible for growing third-party franchise agreements with independent hotels and hotel groups in the UK.

Simon has nearly 10 years experience in hotel franchise development and previously worked for Best Western GB where he secured and converted over 150 properties to the Best Western brand.  He joins Choice from Ramada York Fairfield Manor, where he has held the role of Sales Manager.
Duncan Berry, UK Chief Executive Officer, Choice Hotels Europe, commented: “We are keen to work with individual hoteliers and independent hotel groups who want to benefit from the global brand presence of Choice Hotels International and experience that Choice Hotels Europe can bring. As one of the largest pure global hotel franchising companies, we have the expertise, support and scope to help our franchisees succeed. Simon’s experience and knowledge of the hotel sector will be instrumental in helping us achieve this growth.”

A recent survey undertaken by Choice Hotels in the UK found that hoteliers and general managers rated sales and marketing expertise and the ability to multi-task as the most essential skills and attributes required by today’s hotelier.
Berry, added: “These results verify the value to independent hoteliers of operating under a brand.  The areas they have flagged as critical to running their business can be provided through a franchised relationship.” 

As of March 31, 2010, Choice Hotels International had more than 600 hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States. In other markets more than 100 hotels, representing approximately 8,200 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development, including forty in Europe. Choice-branded hotels to open recently in the UK include the Quality Hotel™ Reading and the Quality Hotel™ Birmingham Airport / NEC.