Guy Parsons steps down as EasyHotel CEO

Guy Parsons has stepped down from his role as chief executive of budget brand EasyHotel after four years.

Scott Christie, currently non-executive interim chairman, has become interim chief executive until a new chief executive is appointed. The search for a new chief executive has already commenced.

Investor consortium Bidco took control of the board of the budget hotel chain earlier this year. The company, owned by a consortium of Cadim Fonds, part of Canadian real estate company Ivanhoé Cambridge, and real estate firm ICAMAP, launched a successful £138.7m takeover bid for the company, despite Easy Group founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou saying the bid undervalued the company.

Harm Meijer, currently a non-executive director, is from today appointed to the role of non-executive chairman. Michael Neuman of Ivanhoé Cambridge and Charles Persello of ICAMAP Advisory have also been appointed non-executive directors.

Meijer said: "On behalf of the board and all of the company's stakeholders I would like to thank Guy for his significant contribution and the key role he has played building the brand, the hotel portfolio and guests' experience. Guy leaves the company with our best wishes and I personally wish him every success for the future.

"I would also like to welcome to the board both Michael and Charles. I believe their wealth of European property and financial experience will benefit the Company as EasyHotel continues its journey to fulfil its potential as a leading European budget hotel company."

EasyHotel is one of the spin-off brands from Sir Stelios' EasyGroup, best known for its budget airline EasyJet. The brand was launched in 2005 with its first property, a 34-bedroom hotel in London's Kensington, and now owns 11 hotels in the UK and franchises eight.