Senior Management Team
PAUL CALLINGHAM
Founder and Managing Director
Paul founded Starboard Hotels as a family business in 2006 and has been Managing Director since incorporation.
With his four decades of experience in the property industry, he has particular expertise in financial matters surrounding real estate investment and development. Paul is especially interested in all developments in the IT and digital sector of hospitality; using technology to enhance guest experience and reduce costs.
Paul continues to drive the strategy for the business, focusing on acquisitions, financing and new developments.
FRAZER CALLINGHAM
Managing Director Starboard Dining | Development & Projects Director
From starting out as a chef, Frazer has a strong background in both hospitality and business. Working with Starboard since 2010, he is responsible for the groups property improvement programmes including refurbishments across the portfolio, business enhancement activities and group wide procurement tenders. Additionally, he is actively involved in the development and acquisition of new sites.Outside of the office, Frazer organises and takes part in Charity & endurance Challenges, is a keen Skier and Yogi; and an International Taekwon-do instructor.
KERIAN BARNES
Operations and Commercial Director
Kerian has a long career in hospitality with over 25 years spent in senior management roles. Working with national chains and independent companies she brings a wealth of experience of sales and operational control. Joining Starboard in 2012 Kerian is responsible for the operational and commercial performance of the hotels. Kerian’s passion for training and development has seen the hotels credited with several awards for best in class for service and guest experience.
IVAN LYNCH
Regional Operations Manager
With 35 years working in hospitality, Ivan began his career as a Chef in Ireland.
His first Hotel General Management position was for MacDonald Hotels in 1997. Working with Accor Hotels as a Multi- Site General Manager, and latterly Amaris Hospitality, he spent 15 years at the helm in the Mercure Hotel establishing the Hotel as a leading light in Northwest Hospitality.
Passionate about F&B , Ivan has also completed a RM Dimension rooms revenue qualification and has implemented strategies through his career helping to deliver exceptional levels of service and profitability.
He has joined Starboard in January 2022 and is firmly focused in improving operational matters across the Starboard portfolio.
SERGIO FERNANDES
Chief Financial Officer
Sergio has over 22 years experience in the hotel industry, working for major brands like Marriott, Radisson & Viceroy Resorts in the capacity of Hotel Director of Finance and Regional Director of Finance in multiple locations predominantly in UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa. His last role was with Interstate UK Hotels & Resorts as a Regional Director of Finance. He is a Fellow member of ACCA UK. With a background in hotel operations and commercial, he is also a keen enthusiast of innovations in financial systems. With his wide variety of expertise in overseeing and monitoring an effective control environment, he is currently working on improving efficiencies at the hotels and their overall profitability.
People
Operations
BEVERLY FLINT
Group People Manager
Beverly has many years of hospitality experience; in the front line in every job you could think of, as an owner of her own businesses, as a quality auditor for IHG and as a General Manager and Regional Manager. Over the past decade however she found her true passion - developing people. As People Development Manager for her previous company she made a significant impact on that business; training and developing the hotel teams to embrace the culture of the company and to deliver a great guest experience
NIGEL DIBB
Regional Operations Manager
Nigel has over 38 years’ experience in hotel operations management, working for brands including IHG, Mercure, Hilton & privately-run hotels.
During his career, Nigel has had a continual focus on building and retaining talent; creating teams that have delivered excellent customer service, high engagement and met and exceeded targets. Nigel prides himself on being approachable, an excellent listener and someone with an eye for detail
Commercial Team
DARREN SCHEMBRI
Head of Revenue Management
Darren has over 25 years of experience working in the hospitality industry, starting as a waiter in hotels and restaurants while completing his studies. After moving to the UK, Darren continued his career as a receptionist at a hotel in Stratford upon Avon. He subsequently acquired experience of all aspects of hotel operations while simultaneously completing a management programme. He has also managed a central booking office covering reservations, meetings and leisure groups for a group of 40 hotels. Revenue Management has been a passion of Darren’s for over a decade. He has held several cluster roles covering locations nationwide, culminating in him joining Starboard Hotels in 2016.
KARLY HUNT
Regional Sales Manager Midlands - South
Karly recently joined Starboard Hotels as Regional Sales Manager South. Karly will be based out of our Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth and covering the Midlands hotels and the South.
Recently relocated with her family from the Gold Coast in Australia, Karly worked as Director of Sales for Accor for the past 8 years across 4 different hotel and serviced apartments brands specialising in MICE, leisure, and corporate markets. Prior to that, she worked for Hyatt, both in Australia and London.
LAUREN SUTTON
Regional Sales Manager South
Lauren has recently joined Starboard Hotels as Regional Sales Manager South and will be based out of our Ibis Styles Gatwick Airport hotel. Lauren has been within the hospitality industry for over 18 years, starting in restaurants part time whilst in higher education. Following on from this Lauren made the move into hotels full time, experiencing different areas of the business. Lauren has managed a 4* hotel in the South, before moving into proactive sales looking after the leisure and corporate side.
ILKA SALZMANN
Marketing Manager
With previous experience in luxury and budget travel Ilka joined Starboard Hotels in May 2013. Ilka’s focus is on the strategic development of the assets marketing activities with her key strength being in digital marketing, PR and media relations, content management and developing suitable 360 marketing activities. Ilka is a keen traveller with hands on hospitality experience, a strategic approach and excellent communication skills.
STEVEN MURPHY
Regional Sales Manager North
Steven recently became part of Starboard Hotels as the Regional Sales Manager, responsible for overseeing properties situated in the North. With a rich background in the hospitality sector, Steven brings years of experience from diverse roles within both branded and independent hotels. His career includes appointments in operations at Premier Inn, sales positions at Accor and Best Western hotels, and involvement with the vibrant Victoria Warehouse Hotel, Events, and Music Venue near Old Trafford in Manchester.
LESLEY - ANN CARDOW
Marketing Manager
A marketing graduate with over 20 years' experience in hotel and travel marketing, Lesley-Ann is passionate about all things digital. Having joined the team in January 2020, Lesley-Ann works alongside Ilka in supporting Starboard's hotels and Dining division with a focus on brand-hearted digital and traditional marketing, reputation management, internal communications and content strategy.
Property & IT
ANDY BURNE
Property Director
Andy joined Starboard in February 2018, having worked for many years with IHG, LRG & Kew Green as Regional Engineer, being responsible for all aspects of property maintenance and energy/utility spend within their UK&I estates. Later he worked as property consultant for Michels & Taylor & Project Manager for Center Parcs & Lancaster University, so he has a vast amount of experience within all aspects of hospitality accommodation. His mission is always to create a culture of support & compliance which benefits all stakeholders, through value engineered solutions.
MOHAMMAD UMER
IT Director
Mohammad has been in charge of the IT across the portfolio for the last 10 years. Mohammad specialises in optimising the IT Infrastructure, centralising data and applications and managing the every day support function of the hotels.
Mohammad recently introduced Meraki guest Wi-Fi technologies across the entire group, which has enhanced the guest Wi-Fi experience tremendously. The Holiday Inn Express Burnley was the first IHG property in Europe to embrace this technology.