Sanguine puts IHG veteran in charge

Former Intercontinental Hotels Group European chief operating officer Robin Wicks has stepped up from non-executive director to become chief executive of rapidly expanding hotel business Sanguine Hospitality.

Sanguine Hospitality was founded in 2006 by Merseyside property and hotel entrepreneurs Paul Bolton and Simon Matthews-Williams. The business now has ten operational hotels and a further eight under construction. Many operate as IHG brands such as Hotel Indigo under franchise agreements.

Wicks spent 16 years in a variety of senior roles at IHG and rose to become chief operating officer for Europe. He is also a former director general of the World Youth Student & Education Travel Confederation.

Matthews-Williams said: "Robin brings with him an unparalleled level of experience gained in senior roles across the hospitality industry. His insight has proven invaluable during his time as a non-executive director and we're thrilled that we will now have such an excellent asset at our disposal full-time.

"Our growth strategy is defined along a number of clear development lines, many of which involve IHG branded properties. There is a clear synergy between Robin's experience and our objectives.

"He knows the hotel industry from top to bottom and can inform our decisions on everything from the choice of bathroom taps to identifying development sites. There really isn't a stronger candidate to help Sanguine deliver on its potential."

Wicks said of his appointment: "I have been working with Sanguine for some time now in a non-executive capacity and I'm delighted to be able to play a larger part in what's happening here.

"This is a fantastically progressive and ambitious business, with some very exciting times ahead, and I hope to bring my experience to bear to help drive forward our expansion plans."