Bradford hotel gets a new team in charge

Cedar Court Hotels has secured the family legacy of founder George Demetriou by appointing his daughter Maritza to the board.

Kevin Henry, who became Cedar Court Hotels’ finance director in June, has also joined the board.

They have joined Mr Demetriou, his son Dino and group director John Horvath as directors, with Zoe Georgiou, Mr Demetriou’s other daughter, remaining as company secretary.

Chartered accountant Mr Henry joined Wakefield textile company Sirdar in 1984 and was part of the original joint venture company that assisted George Demetriou with the funding and development of the first Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield.

The company now has a £15 million turnover and operates five hotels in Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Harrogate and York.

Mr Demetriou said: “Our key strength is the way in which we combine the independent spirit and traditional values of a family business with good business sense and innovative thinking.

“In an industry where people tend to move around, we have an extraordinarily loyal staff, many of whom stay with the company for years. I am anxious to keep alive the culture that engenders this loyalty and the new board structure is, I am sure, going to guarantee that.”

Mr Henry said: “My relationship with Cedar Court Hotels has, in many ways, come full circle. I am looking forward to helping to drive the next period of innovation, growth and investment.

“As well as our four-star portfolio, we are working hard to gain a five-star rating for the new Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa in York. If we are successful, it will be the city’s first five-star hotel.”

Maritza Demetriou also worked at Sirdar with Mr Henry and will be helping to continue the family involvement in the Cedar Court business. Mr Horvath has more than 30 years of hotel management experience.

As Cedar Court Hotels’ group director he has responsibility for the smooth running of the five venues and is interim general manager at the new York hotel.