Executive Team

Peter Cashman – Chief Executive Officer

Peter was a founding and main board director of CHE Hotel Group PLC for over 20 years and during this time was directly responsible for all aspects of the group including:

• All the group's assets and development including the conception, design and roll-out of CHE's new build premium budget brand “Sleep Inn”
• The operations of 80 managed, leased and owned hotels in the UK, Ireland, France and Germany
• The development and operation of a franchise business with 350 hotels across 14 European countries
• A founder Director, Chairman and – currently – a main board director of Choice Hotels Ireland, now one of Ireland's largest hotel groups with 10 large new-build 4 star hotels in Ireland and the UK
• The development and opening of more than 50 hotels in the UK, Ireland and Germany.

Before joining the CHE Group, Peter started his career in Switzerland and then joined the London division of Trust House Forte. He has also held senior management roles with Centre Hotels (now mainly Holiday Inns), Comfort Hotels International and Ladbrokes Hotels (now Hilton).

Alun Edwards – Managing Director

Before founding Focus Hotels Management with Peter Cashman in June 2007, Alun spent 5 years as Operations Director with Choice Hotels Europe. He was responsible for over 40 owned, managed and franchised hotels in the UK within the CHE Hotel Group. Alun was directly involved in management contracting, the development of CHE’s new build premium budget brand “Sleep Inn”, as well as opening two new hotels in the City of London.

Prior to working for CHE, Alun was involved in the management buy-in of County Hotels, a group of 25 three and four star hotels spread across the UK. He became a Founder Director and Shareholder of this newly formed company which was subsequently sold to Corus and Regal Hotels. Within Corus, Alun was a Senior Operations Director responsible for over 100 hotels.

Earlier in his career, Alun held management positions with Inter-Continental Hotels, Grand Metropolitan Hotels, Marriott Hotels, and Crest in their 4 and 5 star London hotels, before joining Moat House to open four new 4 star hotels.

Steven Frewer – Director of Hotel Operations

Steven has worked in the hotel industry for over 30 years, operating and managing hotels across the UK and his experience is also supported by a number of years as Business Director for Unite Plc, a FTSE 250 property company, before working as an independent consultant, project managing hotel developments and refurbishments.

• Over 10 years as Operations Director for CHE Group PLC with responsibility for a portfolio of 40 owned, managed and franchised hotels throughout the UK.
• Considerable experience in management contracts, acquisitions, disposals and development projects and has undertaken numerous consultancy assignments.
• Experienced in opening numerous hotels across the UK, from full service hotels to branded budget operations.
• Early career involved several management positions with Trust House Forte and Friendly Hotels PLC, rising to Area Manager for 13 properties.

John Collis – Finance Director

John, a UK Chartered Accountant of over 20 years standing,   is a senior finance director with in depth knowledge and experience of the hospitality industry (a member of the British Association of Hospitality Accountants).

John has worked for a number of large companies in senior financial roles, most recently as Finance Director for easyHotel Limited and prior to that as Finance Director for Arora International Hotels. Previously John has worked for HSBC and Queens Moat Houses Plc.

John has had hands on experience of acquisition, new build, extensions, rebranding and disposal of hotels during his career

He looks for process improvement and a strong balance sheet approach to the monthly accounts of the hotels we operate and manage, as well as developing the forecast tools to manage the business effectively.

He has been involved at head office level for most of his hotel career, but has also worked in hotels from the budget level to five star luxury hotels, setting up robust control procedures and reporting.