Management changes as Cedar Court Hotels founder steps down

ENTREPRENEUR George Demetriou, the man who has built up the successful Cedar Court Hotels business, is retiring from the day to day management of the group he founded more than 50 years ago.

Mr Demetriou, who came to England from his native Cyrpus in 1957 aged 19 to work at a friend’s coffee bar in Halifax, has built up a chain of five hotels in Yorkshire, including the luxurious five star Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa in York.

Kevin Henry, group finance director, will take on the role of group managing director with responsibility for overall business strategy.

Mr Henry will also act as the link between the operating businesses and the shareholding family.

Mr Demetriou is stepping down from his role as group managing director of the Acropolis Group of Companies, which owns various hospitality and property businesses including Cedar Court Hotels, to become non-executive chairman of Acropolis Investments Limited.

He will also act as non-executive chairman of the group’s main trading company, Acropolis Hotels Limited.

Mr Demetriou, who was just 22 when he opened his first coffee shop, launched the Cedar Court Wakefield in 1985.

He said: “After spending over 50 years growing the business to the point where it now encompasses five hotels, a portfolio of investment properties and two coffee bars, the time has come to step aside and allow others to build the future success of the business.

“Acropolis is fortunate to have a strong senior management team so it is in very safe hands. Many of them have been with me every step of the way as the business has grown and diversified and I will enjoy seeing where it goes next in my new role.

“I have been lucky enough to see my greatest dream realised – to create a five-star hotel in Yorkshire – so the time feels right to pursue new interests. I look forward to spending more time with my family and friends.”

Mr Demetriou’s first business venture was a coffee shop in Wakefield, which opened in 1960. He opened further coffee shops in Huddersfield, York, Lincoln, Derby, Barnsley, Bradford, Castleford and Leeds and by 1978 had enough capital to be able purchase a plot of land next to the M1 motorway near Wakefield, which became the first Cedar Court Hotel.

Commenting on his promotion, Mr Henry said: “Having been involved with Acropolis in a number of roles over the years – from acting as company secretary when the hotel business was started as a joint venture in 1984, through to my current role as group finance director – I have a detailed knowledge of the business and the challenges it is facing, as well as an excellent working relationship with the shareholding family.”

The group’s hotel director, John Horvath, will continue in that role, and will assume full responsibility for the group’s hotel business.

Mr Horvath said: “I have been with Cedar Court Hotels for over 20 years and have seen it expand from one hotel in Wakefield to become the largest independent hotel group in Yorkshire, so I am very excited to have the opportunity to play a key role in the future prosperity of the business.

Cedar Court Hotels has embarked on a five year investment programme, including improvement works at its Wakefield, Huddersfield/Halifax, Leeds/Bradford and Harrogate hotels.