Russell Kett Appointed Special Adviser to Northern Powerhouse Developments Board

Date: May 2018

Location: Up North!

What: Russell Kett, chairman of the London office of global hospitality consultancy HVS Russell Kett, chairman of the London office of global hospitality consultancy HVS, has been appointed as special adviser to the board of hotel and leisure investment company, Northern Powerhouse Developments (NPD).

Kett, one of the most respected names in the hospitality industry, brings 45 years of experience within the international hotel sector to this northern-based UK company. His reputation and experience have helped advise and steer the fortunes of many of the world’s biggest hotel companies. He has an unrivalled knowledge and global understanding of guest expectations along with investors’ requirements and those of lenders, owners, operators and brands.

He joins two other formidable hotel and leisure heavyweights at NPD: Peter Moore – who introduced Center Parcs to the UK – is Chairman of NPD Leisure, and Richard Lewis, who is CEO of NPD Hotels.

Founded in 2016, Northern Powerhouse Developments now owns and operates 12 hotels located in clusters of four around England and Wales, all of which have or are undergoing a programme of refurbishment and re-branding.

By 2020 NPD aims to have in excess of 40 hotels within the UK. Each hotel collection: Manor House, Premier, Boutique and Classic makes up a cluster and all service a different demographic providing operational efficiencies across the cluster and the total estate.

Acquisitions are funded by individual private and institutional investors as an alternative to the residential buy-to-let market by offering the ability to buy a room and then sub-letting it back to NPD’s own operator. NPD also signs an option to buy the property back at any given point, thus maintaining control of its operations and property estate.

Commenting on Kett’s appointment, the Owner and Chairman of NPD Group, Gavin Woodhouse, said: “I am delighted to be working with Russell, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to NPD, and his advice and industry insight will be invaluable as we move forward.”

“It is important to have someone to challenge the board and its decisions based upon their own global knowledge, and there is no better person to question our decisions, advise us on direction, growth and opportunities than Russell,” he added.

Talking about his new his role with NPD, Kett said: “I am looking forward to working with such an ambitious and innovative business. I have been hugely impressed with the progress NPD has made over the past three years. Having people of the calibre of Gavin Woodhouse, Peter Moore and Richard Lewis on board also reflects the company’s intentions and objectives.

“One of the biggest factors in achieving success in this industry is the ability to have a clear definition and to be differentiated from the competition, which NPD has achieved in a short space of time. I look forward to working with the board as their growth continues over the coming years,” he concluded.

THPT Comment: We have known Russell Kett for many years and one would be hard-pressed to find a more pleasant, wise, old-school, honourable chap…and I would love him on my board!

First Seen: Incentive Travel