Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA has welcomed a new face to its senior team, with the appointment of Kenny Russell as Director of Operations & Quality within the UK and Ireland.

Kenny joins the third-party hotel management company from the JMK Group where, as Group General Manager, he was responsible for delivering budget and brand targets across a portfolio of trading hotels.

His role involved leading and supporting general managers with operational excellence, commercial strategies, property management, and financial planning, as well as leading operations for all new openings and development projects.

Having started his hospitality career in food & beverage as a head chef, Kenny moved into operational hotel roles over a decade ago, initially as operations manager before quickly progressing to general manager roles across several Holiday Inns and Hampton by Hiltons.

Kenny’s role with Aimbridge will see him responsible for operations and quality within Region 1, a portfolio of 15 Aimbridge-managed properties throughout the UK and Ireland, across a number of brands such as Novotel and Adagio, Hampton by Hilton, Holiday Inn, Ibis and Staybridge Suites.

Kenny, said: “I am thrilled to be joining Aimbridge EMEA and to lead operations for this portfolio of 15 hotels. It’s a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated team and support a diverse portfolio of outstanding hotels across the UK and Ireland. I look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of our brands.”

David Anderson, President at Aimbridge EMEA, said: “Kenny brings substantial operational experience across multiple brands, including IHG, Hilton, and Marriott, having held roles within third-party management and a privately owned hospitality operator.

“We are excited to have him on board, and to seeing his expertise in action.”

Kenny’s appointment follows Aimbridge EMEA’s recent announcement that Troy Sullivan Marqués would be joining the company as development lead for the Iberia region, as the third-party hotel management company sets its sights on further expansion across Spain and Portugal.