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Robert Cook

Chief Executive Officer

Hostmore plc

London, UK

Robert B. Cook

Eisner Advisory Group

Robert’s Biography

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Robert B. Cook is a successful hotelier, businessman, and CEO of Hostmore plc, a hospitality company that includes the popular casual dining chain, Fridays and the 63+1st cocktail bar and restaurant brand.

Hospitality is in Robert’s DNA, and after completing a graduate trainee programme with Bass he joined The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh. He went on to work with legendary hotelier Ken McCulloch at the Malmaison group, first as General Manager of Malmaison in Newcastle, then as Operations Director for the Group.

Working once again with McCulloch, Robert moved to Monte Carlo to work on the Columbus Hotel, in collaboration with F1 racing driver David Coulthard. He went on to become managing director of the Columbus and Dakota hotel group.

In 2004 Cook returned to Malmaison as CEO. The hotel group’s owners then bought the Hotel du Vin chain and Robert is credited with the growth and expansion of both groups, and with creating two unique and recognisable brands.

As CEO of De Vere Hotels Robert was tasked with breathing new life into the brand and reinventing its image across all... Robert B. Cook is a successful hotelier, businessman, and CEO of Hostmore plc, a hospitality company that includes the popular casual dining chain, Fridays and the 63+1st cocktail bar and restaurant brand.

Hospitality is in Robert’s DNA, and after completing a graduate trainee programme with Bass he joined The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh. He went on to work with legendary hotelier Ken McCulloch at the Malmaison group, first as General Manager of Malmaison in Newcastle, then as Operations Director for the Group.

Working once again with McCulloch, Robert moved to Monte Carlo to work on the Columbus Hotel, in collaboration with F1 racing driver David Coulthard. He went on to become managing director of the Columbus and Dakota hotel group.

In 2004 Cook returned to Malmaison as CEO. The hotel group’s owners then bought the Hotel du Vin chain and Robert is credited with the growth and expansion of both groups, and with creating two unique and recognisable brands.

As CEO of De Vere Hotels Robert was tasked with breathing new life into the brand and reinventing its image across all estates. The company underwent a major re-branding and was renamed De Vere Village Urban Resorts.

After his successful tenure at the helm of De Vere, Robert served as COO of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts before moving away from hotels and becoming CEO of Virgin Active UK in 2016. Incorporating fresh ideas from the hotel industry he steered the brand into the future.

Run by his wife Debbie, Robert is the owner of The Cookie Jar, an 11 bedroom boutique hotel overlooking Alnwick Castle in Northumberland. He is also a Board Advisor to Valley Ridge Resort Development in Suffolk.

Robert was awarded the Freedom of the City of London and is a Master Innholder of the hotel industry. He was recognised as Manager of the Year by The Cateys Awards in 2006 and holds an Honorary Doctorate for his contribution to the hotel industry from his alma mater, Robert Gordon University. moreless

Robert’s Newsfeed

Glasgow Times

The story of New York inspired restaurant 63rd + 1st

Robert B Cook is CEO of Hostmore, the parent company of 63rd + 1st, and has 30 years of experience in the hospitality sector.

The Scotsman

The Big Interview: Robert Cook, chief executive of Fridays owner Hostmore

View News Archive

Robert’s Background

Hostmore plc

Chief Executive Officer

Sep 2021 - Present

Edinburgh, UK

Hostmore is a hospitability business that includes the Fridays and 63rd+1st restaurant brands. In November 2021 the company was admitted to the London Stock Exchange.

Fridays

Chief Executive Officer

Dec 2019 - Present

London, UK

The UK franchise of a leading restaurant chain offering American food and beverages with an atmosphere that captures the spirit of Fridays.

63+1st

Chief Executive Officer

Nov 2020 - Present

63+1st is a new cocktail bar and restaurant concept, and sister brand to Fridays. It is named after the address of the first TGI Fridays restaurant to open in 1965 on 63rd + 1st Street in New York.

Virgin Active

Chief Executive Officer

May 2016 - Nov 2019

London, UK

Virgin Active is a leading global health, wellness & fitness brand with over 230 clubs across the world and over one million members globally. The brand falls under the Virgin Group, a multinational conglomerate founded by Sir Richard Branson.

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts

Chief Operating Officer

Jan 2015 - May 2016

Bathgate, UK

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is a group of over 30 hotels across the UK. Every hotel has a unique look and feel and embodies the character of its location.

Village Hotels

Chief Executive Officer

Jan 2012 - Jul 2014

London, UK

Village Hotels are a lifestyle hotel brand that combines hospitality with technology and great experiences in the form of food & drink and state of the art gyms.

Hotel Du Vin

Chief Executive Officer

Oct 2004 - Dec 2011

Winchester, UK

Hotel du Vin is well-known for its elegant style and fine dining experiences. With 19 hotels around the UK, the hotels are set in some of the UK’s best known locations.

Malmaison

Chief Executive Officer

Jan 2004 - Dec 2011

London, UK

Malmaison is a boutique hotel brand with locations across the UK.

Columbus Hotel Monaco

Advisor

2000 - 2004

Monaco, MC

The Columbus Hotel Monte-Carlo is an exclusive boutique hotel located in the heart of Monaco. It welcomes guests to enjoy both short and long stays along the magical French Riviera.

Malmaison

General Manager

1997 - 2000

Newcastle, UK

Robert was appointed General Manager of the Malmaison Group’s newly acquired hotel in Newcastle, which led to his promotion to become Operations Director of the entire Malmaison group.

Balmoral Hotel

Edinburgh, UK

The Balmoral Hotel is a luxury hotel and landmark in Edinburgh.

Bass PLC

Graduate trainee

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Robert’s Gallery

Other Business Interests

The Cookie Jar

Owner

2017 - Present

Alnwick, UK

The Cookie Jar is a boutique hotel in Alnwick, Northumberland. The hotel’s historic building was previously the Convent of Mercy and has been tastefully converted into 11 luxurious rooms and suites. Run by Robert’s wife Debbie, there are plans to move the hotel to a larger 40 bedroom site in Alnwick, opening in 2023.

Current Advisory Roles

Valley Ridge Resort

Advisor

Nov 2020 - Present

Valley Ridge Resort in Suffolk (formerly known as ‘SnOasis’) is set to become the UK’s leading ‘staycation’ destination, with year round winter and water sports and state of the art leisure and hotel facilities. Valley Ridge is due to open in 2023/4.

Awards & Endorsements

Freedom of the City of London

Freemen of the City of London

London, UK

The Freedom of the City of London is an award that recognises successful individuals in their field. The Freemen are presented with a certificate by the Clerk to the Chamberlain during a ceremony held at the Guildhall.

The Master Innholders

Master Innholder

The Master Innholders is a standard-bearer for the hospitality industry and is supported by the Worshipful Company of Innholders and the Institute of Hospitality.

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Robert’s Education

Robert Gordon University

Honorary Doctorate in Business

2007 - 2007

Robert Gordon University

Hotel, Catering & Institutional Administration

1983 - 1986