NEWS
YOTEL appoints Paul Harnedy as chief operating officer
YOTEL has appointed Paul Harnedy as chief operating officer, strengthening its senior leadership team as the company continues to scale its global portfolio. In his new role, Harnedy will oversee global hotel operations and commercial strategy across the brand’s growing network. He brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience, including leadership roles across Europe and the United States. The appointment is accompanied by two internal promotions designed to support YOTEL’s operational, commercial and people-focused growth.
Paul Harnedy joins YOTEL from Cedar Capital Partners, where he served as executive vice president and head of asset management. His background gives the company senior-level experience across asset management, hotel operations and multi-site hospitality leadership. This combination is especially relevant as YOTEL expands in both new and existing markets.
Before joining Cedar Capital Partners, Harnedy held several senior roles in the hotel sector. These included chief operating officer and managing director at Amaris Hospitality, vice president of operations at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, and operations director positions with both InterContinental Hotels Group and RBH. His career has therefore covered branded hotel operations, owner relationships and multi-property performance across international markets.
The appointment comes as YOTEL focuses on consistency at scale. As the company grows, operational discipline and commercial coordination become increasingly important across its portfolio. Harnedy’s role will connect global hotel operations with commercial strategy, helping the brand support sustainable growth while maintaining a consistent guest and owner proposition.
Alongside the appointment of Paul Harnedy, YOTEL has promoted Michael Whitehead to senior vice president, people, talent and learning. Having spent seven years with the business, Whitehead will now lead the company’s global HR function. His responsibilities will include employee engagement, organisational development, learning and development, and broader people strategy.
The company has also promoted Ryan Dance to senior vice president, commercial strategy. In this role, Dance will oversee integrated commercial strategy across revenue management, sales, marketing, commercial operations, digital and e-commerce. This structure is intended to support more joined-up commercial decision-making as YOTEL develops its international footprint.
The three leadership moves show how YOTEL is reinforcing several parts of its management platform at the same time. Operations, commercial performance, digital channels, talent and learning are all being positioned as central to the next phase of growth. For a hotel brand expanding across multiple markets, this creates a stronger leadership framework around both guest delivery and business performance.
Phil Andreopoulos, chief executive officer of YOTEL, is named in the announcement in connection with the importance of leadership strength as the brand scales. His comments frame the appointments as part of a broader effort to build the operational and commercial capability required for disciplined, sustainable expansion. With Paul Harnedy, Michael Whitehead and Ryan Dance in expanded senior roles, YOTEL is preparing its leadership structure for continued global growth.
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