Based in the North-East, the group said Donkin would leave the business at the end of the year.
The Inn Collection chief executive has been with the pubs-with-rooms business since it had a single site in Northumberland, growing it to 30 sites today. A successor has yet to be announced.
A company spokesperson said: “After many years of loyal service, Sean Donkin has decided to explore opportunities outside of the Inn Collection Group and will be stepping down as CEO by the end of the year.
Critical role
“Sean has played a critical role in the growth of the group over the last fifteen years from a single site in Northumberland to more than 30 sites today across the North East, Yorkshire, the Lake District and North Wales and we wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
In its most recent financial results, Inn Collection reported turnover up 25% to £65.7m in 2024 (2023: £52.6m).
The 26-strong pubs-with-rooms group said it made significant investments in renovations and acquisitions during the year, with plans to continue investment in the coming years.
Major reworks
It made a loss after tax of £12.8m (2023: 12.7m).
During the period the Lindhum and Carlton in Lythem reopened, alongside the Stables in Whitby, the Swallow Falls in Betws-y-Coed, the Wordsworth in Grasmere, and the St Kilda in Llandudno, all after major reworks.
The company added it had a continuing pipeline of acquisitions opportunities, and expected to commit to at least one further new-build during 2025, with further sites to be acquired where suitable.
In 2022, the group was acquired by the Harris Family Trusts together with Kings Park Capital, in a deal valuing the business at £300m.
The Harris family have many years of experience successfully investing and growing leisure and hospitality businesses, having been one of the founding families of the Bourne Leisure Group which it held for more than 45 years before selling a majority stake in 2021.
- This story originally appeared in The Morning Advertiser’s sister publication MCA here.
