Cycas names Apurva Pratap as its first managing director

Hotel management company Cycas has named Apurva Pratap its first managing director as it looks to double the size of its portfolio over the next two years.

Pratap will begin his role on 1 May and joins from the Student Hotel in Amsterdam, where he was chief customer officer.

He previously spent nine years in strategic and operational roles with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and held senior positions at Starbucks overseeing its international tea business.

Cycas manages 16 properties in the UK and Europe, with a further eight in the pipeline. Upcoming openings include the Moxy Liverpool City Centre, Hyatt Place London City and Courtyard London City Airport hotel.

Matt Luscombe, chief executive of Cycas, said: "I'm very proud that, despite the pandemic's challenges, we've doubled the size of our business since I joined Cycas two years ago.

"With Apurva's deep understanding of how to maximise hotel performance across a wide range of markets and hospitality segments, I have every confidence that Cycas is well placed to double our portfolio again, drive strong returns for our investment partners, and bring in more fantastic hospitality talent over the next two years."

Cycas' hotels operate across the UK, France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands in partnership with six global hotel groups.