Shearings restructures into holidays and hotels divisions

Following a strategic review of operations, Shearing Group has today announced a restructure of its operating businesses into two independent divisions, Holidays and Hotels, with the appointment of a new Managing Director for each business unit and a new Executive Team for the holidays division.

Graham Rogers, Director of National Holidays has been promoted to Managing Director – Holidays and will take over responsibility for the Shearings Holidays, National Holidays and Caledonian Travel brands. Vince Flower, Chief Operating Officer has been appointed Managing Director – Hotels and will develop a new stand alone hotel brand to operate alongside the recently introduced Coast & Country product.

Both positions will sit on the Shearings Group Board alongside Denis Wormwell, Chief Executive, David Newbold, Group Finance Director and Jane Burke, Group HR Director.

Chief Executive Denis Wormwell commented; “Graham is the ideal candidate to head up the Groups’ holidays division. He has done a fantastic job at National Holidays, where passenger volumes and profit have increased steadily over the past two years. I am confident that Shearings Holidays, National Holidays and Caledonian Travel will continue to thrive and expand under his leadership.”

“Vince Flower has long been associated with the success of Shearings Hotels and will use his expertise to build a more commercially independent and consumer facing leisure hotels business.”

Following his appointment, Graham Rogers has also announced a new executive team for the Holidays business.

Previous Head of Product for Shearings Holidays, Caroline Brown has been promoted to the new role of Commercial Director – Shearings Holidays, whilst Martin Lock has taken on the Commercial Director role at National Holidays and Caledonian Travel.

Chris Brown, who presently manages the Shearings Transport business will oversee all group transport operations as Operations Director and Paul Freeman is to become Finance Director. The new team is completed by Mark Williams, IT Director and Nicola Heaslip, HR Manager.

Graham Rogers commented: “I am excited to be taking on this challenging new role and I am pleased to announce such a strong, enthusiastic executive team to help drive the business forward.”

Shearings Group recently invested over £7m in upgrading 13 hotels into the new Coast & Country standard and creating almost 200 premier and superior bedrooms in its 49 hotel estate.

This investment in its estate has been complemented by the recent £400K ‘Great British Summer’ TV and press campaign designed to encourage customers to “fall in love with Britain again” following recent research indicating that more UK residents are intending to holiday at home this year.