Directors and Senior Management
Hostmore’s Directors oversee the management team's execution of strategy and the delivery of objectives, within a robust framework of prudent and effective corporate governance, risk management and internal controls.
The Directors provide leadership and manage the company in a manner that meets its obligations to shareholders and broader stakeholders and supports the creation of long-term value.
The Directors meet on a regular basis throughout the year.
STEPHEN WELKER
Chairman
Stephen was appointed as a Non-Executive Director in 2022 and as Chairman in 2023. He is currently a Partner in Sherborne Investors Management LP and leads the firm’s research function as the Director of Research. Stephen was previously a Non-Executive Director of Electra Private Equity PLC from July 2019 to November 2021 and was a Director of Mondays (Topco) Limited, the then-holding company of the TGI Fridays trading business, from June 2017 to November 2021. He was an advisor to F&C Asset Management plc from 2011 to 2013. Prior to joining Sherborne Investors, Stephen worked at Morgan Stanley on both real estate investment banking and principal investment transactions.
Stephen is the Chair of the Nominations Committee and the Chair of the Disclosure Committee.
JULIE McEWAN
Chief Executive Officer
Julie was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in May 2023. Prior to being appointed as the Chief Executive Officer, Julie held the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer from January 2023 having joined TGI Fridays as Chief Operating Officer in March 2022. Julie has held several senior roles within the hospitality industry, starting her career at Whitbread as Operations Manager for Premier Inn. Her previous roles have also included leading the Flaming Grill brand and managing their conversion programme. Julie’s last role prior to joining the Hostmore group was at The Big Table Group, where she was Brand Director of Las Iguanas, the Latin American brand, where she worked for over 5 years. Julie was also voted one of the top 100 Women to Watch and Advocates for Change in Hospitality 2020.
Julie is a member of the Disclosure Committee.
DAVID LIS
Senior Independent Director
David was appointed Senior Independent Director in 2021. David was the Senior Independent Director of Electra Private Equity Plc from 2018 to 2021, after joining the company as a Director in May 2016. David is the Chairman of Windar Photonics plc, the Chairman of Wild Life Group Limited, the Senior Non-Executive Director of Melrose Industries plc and a Non-Executive Director of Dowgate Capital Limited and has previously held non-executive director positions at BCA Marketplace plc and the Multifamily Housing REIT plc. David has held several senior executive roles at Aviva Investors, including Chief Investment Officer of Equities and Multi Assets. Prior to Aviva, David spent a number of years as Head of Investor Relations at Ludgate Communications. Earlier in his career, he co-founded Windsor Investment Management, and spent a number of years as a fund manager at both Morgan Grenfell and J Rothschild Investment Management.
David is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, a member of the Nominations Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee.
ANDREW BLURTON
Non-Executive Director
Andrew was appointed an Independent Non-Executive Director in 2021. Andrew is currently the Finance Director of Advanced Living Limited. Andrew also holds positions as the Chair of the Governing Body of Longacre School in Surrey, as well as the Chair of the Liberty Defined Benefit Pension Scheme. Previously, Andrew was the Finance Director of MWB Group Plc, the Chief Financial Officer of Landmark Limited and the Chairman of Manroy Plc. Andrew has been a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales for 39 years, having previously qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1975.
Andrew is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, a member of the Nominations Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee.
HELENA FELTHAM
Non-Executive Director
Helena was appointed an Independent Non-Executive Director in 2023. She has over 30 years' experience in consumer facing and people leadership roles. She has recently served as the Interim Non-Executive Chair of Ted Baker Plc, where she had also been Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Nominations Committee. She is currently a Non-Executive Director of the IT managed services provider, Redcentric plc, where she Chairs the Remuneration Committee. Helena has previously held non-executive roles in the NHS and at the Retail Trust, and has served as an independent adviser to the Assembly of Wales. She has also previously held executive roles as a Director at B&Q plc and as the People Director at Woolworths South Africa and Marks and Spencer.
Helena is the Chair of the Remuneration Committee, a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee.
CÉLIA PRONTO
Non-Executive Director
Célia was appointed an Independent Non-Executive Director in 2023. She has over 25 years’ experience in blue chip listed companies, private equity and venture capital backed start-ups and family-owned businesses. She has worked in subscription model businesses, as well as the food manufacturing, restaurants, logistics, travel, hospitality, leisure, fast moving consumer goods, e-commerce, automotive retail and utility sectors. In addition, she has specific expertise in developing digital transformation, innovation and growth strategies in consumer and multi-channel businesses. She is currently a Director of South East Water Limited, Samworth Brothers (Holdings) Limited, Impact Ventures Group Limited, The Digital Success Co Ltd (trading as the Digital Advisor) and Campden BRI. Célia has previously held roles as the Managing Director of Love Home Swap, as the Chief Customer and Digital Officer of Casual Dining Group, and as the Group Marketing and E-Commerce Director and a Board member of the Ford Retail Group.
Célia is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, a member of the Nominations Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee.
Senior Management
MATTHEW BIBBY
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Matthew was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer in 2023. Matthew joined Thursdays (UK) Limited (trading as TGI Fridays) in 2019 as Head of Finance and in 2022 became the Group’s Finance Director. Prior to this, he was at Whitbread for fourteen years, latterly as Head of Finance, Procurement and Supply Chain having held management roles within the Finance Department.
Matthew is a member of the Disclosure Committee.
ROBERT HENRY
General Counsel & Company Secretary
Robert was appointed as General Counsel and Company Secretary to the Board in 2021 after joining TGI Fridays in April 2021 as Head of Legal. Prior to this, Robert was a Senior Associate at Dentons, and has further private practice experience from his time at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Robert’s previous in-house roles include being a Managing Legal Counsel at John Wood Group plc and being a Senior Legal Counsel and the Group Ethics Officer at both Amec Foster Wheeler plc and AMEC plc.
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