Convene hires new UK managing director
Events space operator Convene has appointed a new UK lead following the departure of Elliott Sparsis last month.
The US-based firm has appointed Niamh Martin as UK managing director.
Martin has more than 18 years of experience in the lifestyle hospitality industry and most recently spent more than six years at retail giant Selfridges where she oversaw operational management of 22 restaurants across London, Manchester and Birmingham, as well as the development of new food and beverage concepts from inception to opening. She takes up the new role from 5 February.
Events space operator Convene has appointed a new UK lead following the departure of Elliott Sparsis last month.
The US-based firm has appointed Niamh Martin as UK managing director.
[caption id="attachment_1212037" align="alignleft" width="150"] Niamh Martin[/caption]
Martin has more than 18 years of experience in the lifestyle hospitality industry and most recently spent more than six years at retail giant Selfridges where she oversaw operational management of 22 restaurants across London, Manchester and Birmingham, as well as the development of new food and beverage concepts from inception to opening. She takes up the new role from 5 February.
As UK managing director, she will oversee site operations, financial performance, and growth of the company’s UK business.
Convene has also appointed a new head of finance and group controller for the UK. Simon Lee has been working Convene on a consultancy basis, but prior to that worked at Diamond Resorts and the Remy Cointreau Group. In his new role he will work alongside Convene’s recently appointed chief financial officer Al Bentley on the group’s global expansion plans.
[caption id="attachment_1212042" align="alignleft" width="150"] Simon Lee[/caption]
Ryan Simonetti, chief executive and co-founder of Convene, said: “Convene has grown a strong foothold in the UK market since our expansion into London in 2022, including our recent acquisition of etc.venues earlier this year. With the accelerating demand for premium, lifestyle-focused, meeting, event and workspaces, we are bolstering our leadership team to support ongoing growth.”
He added that Martin’s and Lee’s “deep luxury and hospitality experience” would be “beneficial in leading and expanding the UK business of Convene moving forward”.
Sparsis left Convene after more than five years with the business, helping establish the firm in the UK. He has become chief executive at rival Cavendish Venues.
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