Paddy Murphy - Chairman

Paddy Murphy is chairman of PREM Group. He has spent much of his career with Bank of Ireland, where he held a number of management positions. After six years as chief executive in Northern Ireland, Paddy moved to the United States where he became president and CEO of the bank's subsidiary, First NH Bank in New Hampshire. He retired from the position of General Manager of the Banks Retail and Business Banking Division in the east of Ireland in 2002.In addition to his role as chairman of PREM Group, Paddy also chairs PREM's associated companies, Choice hotels Ireland and Heuston Hospitality. He is also a director of Sean Quinn Group Ltd., and Data Electronics Ltd..Paddy was educated at Trinity College (BBS 1969) and Harvard Business School (PMD 1987).

Jim Murphy - Managing Director

One of Prem Group's founders. A graduate of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, his association with what was to become PREM Group began in 1989 when he was appointed General Manager of Stephens Hall Hotel, Dublin's first all suite hotel. Prior to this appointment Jim had built up an admirable career gaining valuable management experience in renowned hotels such as Scotland’s Gleneagles Hotel, The Intercontinental Hotel Frankfurt, Marl field House Hotel, Co. Wexford, Ireland, The Park Hotel, Co. Kerry, Ireland and the Gresham Hotel in Dublin’s city centre.

In 1996 Jim and a group of investors bought Stephens Hall Hotel and Jim was appointed Managing Director. This purchase marks the foundation of PREM Group.In addition to building the enterprise Jim has had the honour of holding the presidency of the Irish Hotels Federation from 2002 to 2004 and has been awarded a Fellowship of the Irish Hospitality Institute.

Stephen Loftus - Group Commercial Director

Stephen Loftus, a commerce graduate of University College Dublin and qualified chartered accountant, joined PREM Group in 2002. Stephen brought to the company 10 years experience at senior level within the hospitality and property industries including businesses such as Gresham Hotels plc and Stafford Investments where he enjoyed the roles of Group Financial Controller and Chief Financial Officer.

Phil Sweeney - Sales and Marketing Director

A native of Dublin, Phil Sweeney has directed the sales and marketing activity of PREM Group since it’s formation in 1996. Prior to joining the new company Phil enjoyed an interesting career taking in many of Ireland’s best known hotel enterprises, such as Great Southern, Jury's and The Shelbourne Hotel, before setting up her own sales and marketing consultancy. It was as a consultant that Phil first came into contact with Jim Murphy and Stephens Hall Hotel, shortly to be recruited onto the full time payroll as Group Sales and Marketing Manager for the hotel and developing serviced apartment and serviced office businesses. Phil was appointed Sales and Marketing Director for PREM Group in 1998.

Martin Purtill - Group Financial Controller

Martin Purtill joined PREM Group as Group Financial Controller in March 2008. Martin is a graduate of RTC Galway, Hotel Management and post graduate ACCA. Martin brings to the company 15 years experience at senior level within the hospitality and property industries including businesses such as Gleneagles Hotel (Scotland), Intercontinental Hotel Group (Munich), THF - Shelbourne Hotel, Hilton International (London), Jurys Doyle plc, Michael McNamara & Co., and latterly Choice Hotel Group (Quality & Comfort Inns since sold to Dalata Ltd.); where he enjoyed the roles of Group Financial Controller and Chief Financial Officer. 

Sarah Marr - Group Human Resource Manager

Sarah Marr joined PREM Group in 2000. Previous to this appointment she worked as an Assistant Manager in EBS Building Society. She is a graduate of University College Dublin and the National College of Ireland, achieving a BA in politics and sociology, postgraduate diploma in Business Studies and national diploma in Personnel Management. Sarah is a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and an active member of the Irish Hospitality Institute, currently serving on the National Council.

Evelyn Haran - Group Operations Manager PREM Group UK

Evelyn Haran joined PREM Group in 1998, having commenced her hotel management career in Great Southern Hotels and subsequently moving to the Lee Hotel Group. Evelyn’s first role within the Group was as General Manager of the Days Hotel, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Evelyn enjoyed a number of management roles within PREM Group Ireland before being appointed as the first Group Operations Manager for PREM Group UK. Evelyn holds a Higher Diploma in Business Studies and Hotel & Catering Management awarded by the Dublin College of Catering and a Bachelor of Science (Management) Degree conferred on her by Trinity College Dublin. 

Paul Dempsey - Group Operations Manager PREM Group Ireland

Paul Dempsey joined PREM Group in 1999 as General Manager of Stephens Hall Hotel. He brought to this role management experience from various four and five star properties in both London and Ireland. Since joining the Group, Paul has undertaken a number of management roles to his appointment as Group Operations Managers for Ireland in 2005. Paul holds a Higher Diploma in Business Studies and Hotel & Catering Management awarded by the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology as well as a Diploma in Business and Life Coaching awarded by University College Dublin.

Joanna Doyle - E-Commerce and Marketing Manager

Joanna Doyle is a Hotel and Catering Graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology, Cathal Brugha Street. Since joining PREM Group in 1996, she has held numerous roles within the company, including General Manager of two of the Group’s leading hotels. She has worked at Head Office Level for the past 6 years, heading up the Franchise Office for Days Inn, Leopold Hotels and Premier Apartments brands. Joanna is now responsible for the overall e-commerce and marketing strategy within PREM Group.   

Mary Daly – Groups & Tours Sales Manager

Mary Daly, a graduate of the College of Marketing & Design Dublin, joined PREM Group in 2003. She is responsible for generating group business for PREM Group Hotels by maintaining existing key accounts and developing new business through target specific sales activity. Mary has 15 years sales experience within the hotel industry. Prior to joining PREM Group, she worked for Hibernian Hotel Dublin, McCausland Hotel Belfast, Woodstock Hotel Ennis & Grey Door Restaurant Dublin. Mary served as a committee member on the Irish Chapter of HSMAI (Hospitality Sales Marketing Assoc Intl) for 5 years

Seán Graham - Group IT Manager

Seán Graham is a Graduate of the Dublin Institute of Technology and has worked with PREM Group since 2002. Prior to joining PREM, Seán's career in the hotel industry started in Ryan Hotels (Now Gresham Hotels) whom he worked with for over five years, working in five of their properties over the period in Ireland and Germany. Seán left Ryan hotels to join our sister company Choice Hotels Ireland at group level and then joined the team at PREM in 2002. Seán has managed a number of our properties and worked at group level since 2005 and is currently heading up Group IT for the company. 

Treda Shotton -National Sales Manager - UK

Treda Shotton joined PREM Group in February 2008 as National Sales Manager for PREM Group UK. Treda is responsible for the development of new business and sales opportunities for all UK locations by introducing new accounts and developing existing national accounts for hotels and serviced apartments in the UK region. Treda comes with a wealth of sales experience and has worked in the hotel and catering industry for the past 18 years during which time she has worked for several Hotel Groups. During 2001 – 2006, Treda was a regional sales manager with Marston Hotels with 16 Hotels in her brief and most recently as Director of Sales for Procon Conferences, a conference booking agency. 

Clement Glesson – National Sales Manager – Ireland 

Originally Clement Cleeson joined PREM Group in June 2006 as General Manager of Days Hotel Kilkenny. Originally from Tipperary, Clement is a Gradate of Galway RTC where he received a National Diploma in Business Studies and Hotel and Catering Management. Prior to joining PREM Group, Clement worked in a number of Properties, such as the Park Hotel Kenmare, Butlers Townhouse, The Merv Griffin Hotel, Aghadoe Heights Hotels, Pembroke Townhouse General Manager (new opening) and the Irish Greyhound Board as Hospitality & Quality Assurance Manager.

Peter Flood – Group Purchasing Manager – Ireland & UK.

A Graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology, Peter joined PREM Group in 2003 bringing over twelve years extensive experience & expertise at senior Financial Controller level in the Irish Hospitality Industry having worked as Financial Controller for The O’Loughlin family at their properties in Sutton, Co. Dublin and the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co.Kildare. Peter’s employment background also includes senior roles in logistics with the TDG Group & in architecture/& engineering. Peter has worked as Financial Controller for many of the properties across PREM’s Irish Hotel Portfolio including Days Inn Talbot Street, Days Inn Rathmines, Days Hotel Tullamore among others and in January 2008, was appointed to the role of Group Purchasing Manager for Ireland & the UK after PREM Group decided to bring this area “in-house”. It is Peter’s role to source the keenest pricing and cost savings from our suppliers across the whole range of products and services purchased by our properties and where possible to achieve synergies across the whole of PREM Group by working closely with our European Purchasing Manager

Patrick de Peuter – Managing Director PREM Group – Benelux & France Division

Patrick De Peuter joined PREM Group in 2007 after the acquisition of Global Hotel by PREM Group. Patrick is a graduate from the Hotel School in Lausanne, Switzerland. Patrick started his career in Holiday Inn Brussels Airport and has been in the Hotel business for 32 years now. He has experience in Front Office management, F&B management and General Management. He joined the catering group Carestel in 1988 and became Director of Global Hotel NV in 1995. He was appointed Managing Director of the group in 1999.

Betty Houben – Director of Sales and Marketing PREM Group – Benelux and France Division

Betty Houben joined PREM Group in September 2007 following PREM Group’s acquisition of the Belgian Global Hotels Group. She is currently responsible for the organisation and implementation of the sales, marketing, and revenue strategy across the 13 hotels in the EHC.Betty has over 17 years experience in the Belgian hotel market and began her career as Sales Manager for the Holiday Inn Hasselt in 1991. Following her success in that role, in 1996 she was promoted to the role of Sales & Marketing Manager for seven of the Global Hotels. To date Betty has been involved in the opening of seven new hotels and the rebranding of two existing hotels. 

Karin Savooy – Finance Director PREM Group – Benelux & France Division

Karin Savooy joined PREM Group after the acquisition of Global Hotel by PREM Group. Karin is graduate from Ehsal as master of Economics Sciences and achieved an MBA at the Vlerick Management School. Karin brought experience to Global Hotel at senior level after working with Mister Minit as Project Manager and Account and Tax Service Manager. Karin joined Global Hotel as Finance Manager in March 2006.

Kathy De Bruyne – HR Director PREM Group – Benelux & France Division

Kathy De Bruyne joined PREM Group after the acquisition of Global Hotel by PREM Group. Kathy is a translator graduate and achieved a Masters in HR at the Vlerick Management School. Kathy joined Global Hotels in 2001 as HR Manager.