Blackrose announces five new hires as part of expansion plans

Blackrose, the pub management company launched by real estate investment company Aprirose in 2019, has announced a raft of new appointments to support its ambitious expansion strategy, which is targeting 200 new site acquisitions across the UK by the end of 2021.

Blackrose, a new concept of pub management has bolstered its operations and marketing teams with five new hires:

Michael McGarry appointed as Senior Operations Manager, who will be responsible or the success of Blackrose Pub’s southern estate. Mr McGarry was previously Operations Manager South East UK at OYO hotels, where he managed an estate of 19 properties across South East England. Prior to that Mr McGarry has gathered extensive experience in the hospitality sector working for Choice Hotels Europe as UK Franchise Operations Manager, IHG Holiday Inn as General Manager, and Choice Hotels Europe as UK Commercial Manager.

Adrian Lowry has been appointed as Senior Operations Manager to oversee the success of Blackrose Pub’s northern portfolio. Prior to joining Blackrose Mr Lowry held roles as UK Regional Manager and Director at Shark Club. He has both international and UK regional experience in the leisure and hospitality sector having previously worked at Irish Pub Company Ltd in Singapore as General Manager and Operations Manager, Nicks Warehouse as General Manager, Managing Director of Boutique Restaurants Ltd, and Proprietor of Lowry Hospitality Services, with clients including Old School House in Comber and the Five Star, Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast.

Robert Young appointed as Head of Marketing at Blackrose in order to develop the groups marketing function, with the ultimate goal to support the operations team to drive revenue. Mr Young has 13 years’ experience in marketing across a diverse range of brands in retail and the leisure & tourism industry, including with Carillion PLC, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and most recently as Marketing Manager at Tyneside Cinema.

Mr Young will be supported with the hire of Jack Hawkins as Digital Marketing Coordinator, and Megan Dryden as Marketing Coordinator.

Blackrose, which now has 41 pubs under management with 12 currently operating under the Blackrose brand, has also introduced a new mobile app with in-app purchase, menu display and table booking functionality, in order to keep patrons safe at their pubs as lockdown restrictions ease.

Daren Knipe, CEO, Blackrose, said: “At Blackrose, our goal has been to create a brand which provides the best possible experience for our guests. The new additions to our marketing and operations team of experts is a reflection of the targeted growth and continuing momentum of Blackrose as we bring our vision to life. The time during lockdown has not only provided period of reflection to hone our brand but has accelerated our ambitions to grow Blackrose and support our communities as we navigate the new normal.”

Manish Gudka, CEO, Aprirose, said: “Our pub management company, Blackrose, has a clear and ambitious strategy which we look forward to continuing to support. As they identify new investment opportunities and expand the brand, Aprirose is committed to growing this arm of our business as we seek to add 200 new locations to Blackrose’s portfolio by the end of 2021. Whilst COVID-19 has undoubtably been a difficult time for all, we continue to seek the right opportunities for investment across all of our platforms.”