London-based hotel group Yotel announced in a press release on Wednesday the appointment of veteran hospitality executive Paul Harnedy as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

According to the press release, Harnedy will oversee global hotel operations and commercial strategy across Yotel's three brands, covering city-center hotels, YotelAir airport hotels, and YotelPad long-stay properties. He will also be responsible for managing operational and commercial performance, deepening owner relationships, and advancing Yotel's growth strategy.

Harnedy brings more than three decades of hospitality industry experience. Before joining Yotel, he served as Executive Vice President and Head of Asset Management at Cedar Capital Partners in London. Previously, he held executive roles at Amaris Hospitality in Glasgow, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Interstate Hotels & Resorts—the latter completed a merger with Aimbridge Hospitality in 2019, as noted in the press release.

Yotel also announced internal promotions: Michael Whitehead has been elevated to Senior Vice President of People, Talent, and Learning, and Ryan Dance to Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy. Whitehead will lead Yotel's global human resources efforts, while Dance will manage the company's commercial strategy.

The leadership changes come as Yotel advances a five-year growth plan aimed at tripling the size of its hotel portfolio. Yotel currently operates 23 hotels and targets reaching 100 by 2031. The company said it is focusing on expansion opportunities in Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region.

"As we scale YOTEL's global footprint, the strength of our leadership team becomes increasingly critical," CEO Phil Andreopoulos said in a statement provided to Hotel Dive. "Paul brings extensive operational experience across international, multi-brand hotel businesses and a clear understanding of how to maintain consistency while scaling."

He added that the appointments reflect Yotel's commitment to "building the operational and commercial capabilities needed to support disciplined, sustainable growth as we expand in both new and existing markets."

The growth strategy is also supported by a partnership Yotel reached with Hilton in March of this year. Andreopoulos previously told Hotel Dive that the move aims to boost Yotel's visibility while maintaining its independence. The agreement allows Yotel to access Hilton's extensive distribution system.

Earlier this year, Yotel promoted several executives to senior leadership positions, including Rohan Thakkar as Chief Development and Strategy Officer, Mark Henderson as Senior Vice President of Design and Construction, and Olivia Donnan as Senior Vice President of Brand, Culture, and Growth.