The McKeever Hotel Group has recently announced a significant new appointment to its Board of Directors, welcoming Norman McBride as the new Group Operations Director. This strategic move comes as the company continues on an accelerated path of growth and expands its operations across Northern Ireland.
In his newly created role, Norman will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations across McKeever’s seven hotels. With an impressive career spanning over 40 years in the hospitality sector, Norman brings a wealth of experience. This includes 18 years at the renowned family-owned Hastings Hotel Group, where he served as General Manager for both the Ballygally Castle and Stormont Hotels. He also lent his expertise to Tourism NI and successfully ran his own hospitality consultancy, supporting numerous businesses across the region.
Norman's appointment is a key part of the Group's strategy, which is focused on achieving further growth, enhancing performance, and ensuring sustainability over the next five years. Since 2024, Norman has already been working closely with the McKeever leadership team, playing a crucial role in the successful integration of The Lodge Hotel in Coleraine and the Armagh City Hotel into the growing group.
Speaking about his new position, Norman shared his enthusiasm: "Collaboration, nurturing talent, and fostering continuity have been my primary focus since working with the McKeever team, and I’m delighted to take this to the next level by joining the Board." He added, "I look forward to working across these fantastic hotels, building on our ‘we do more’ culture, and delivering operational excellence that will ultimately benefit our guests, our dedicated staff, and the business as a whole."
Eugene McKeever, founder and Group Chair, warmly welcomed Norman to the Board. "This is a very significant development that will greatly help us to further our strategy and growth ambitions," he said. "Norman has proven he is the right fit for our team, bringing not only his extensive years of experience but also a deep understanding of what truly makes a hospitality organisation thrive – from its operations and culture to its people."