Directors
CEO, Cliste Hospitality
Paul Fitzgerald
CEO, Cliste Hospitality
Paul started his career with PWC where he qualified as a chartered accountant and benefited from extensive secondment experience in UK and Ireland. He then went on to hold a variety of industry-based senior executive roles across Finance, Trading & Operations. Paul's particular competencies lie in commercial insight, analysis, strategy formulation, and transaction project management.
Executive Director Corporate Development
Mairea Doyle Balfe
Executive Director Corporate Development
Mairea has recently joined Cliste Hospitality as Executive Director of Corporate Development bringing over 25 years of experience in the hospitality sector. Mairea first worked in industry with Hilton and Aramark and then moved into consulting with PKF in the US where she worked on hotel and conference centre projects across the East Coast. Most recently Mairea has worked with Crowe Ireland, where she was the leading advisor to the sector, which included asset management, capital investment budgeting and financial analysis. Mairea was a key consultant to Fáilte Ireland helping to develop strategic supports to the industry during COVID-19. Mairea has a B.Sc. from DIT Cathal Brugha Street and an MBA from TUD.
Cliste
CEO, Cliste Hospitality
Paul Fitzgerald
CEO, Cliste Hospitality
Paul started his career with PWC where he qualified as a chartered accountant and benefited from extensive secondment experience in UK and Ireland. He then went on to hold a variety of industry-based senior executive roles across Finance, Trading & Operations. Paul's particular competencies lie in commercial insight, analysis, strategy formulation, and transaction project management.
Group Operations Director
Chris Austin
Group Operations Director
Chris joined Cliste Hospitality in 2019 from Tifco Hotel Group, where as Regional Operations Manager for 7 years he managed a diverse portfolio of Hotels & Resorts. Prior to this, Chris was Operations Director at The Shelbourne Hotel and the Marriott Druids Glen Resort. Chris' international experience includes the Jumeriah Hotel Group in Dubai, senior roles at the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados, the Hilton Hotel Group, and Ashford Castle, as well as managing several restaurants and bars across the UK.
Director of Revenue, Marketing & PR
Brenda Murphy
Director of Revenue, Marketing & PR
Brenda joined Cliste in 2018 from the 5-star Castlemartyr Resort, where she was Director of Sales & Marketing for 4 years. Prior to that Brenda ran her own 70-seater restaurant for 6 years. In 2001, Brenda opened the Galway Radisson building it up to be one of the most successful hotels of its time with a turnover of €16M by 2006. Brenda commenced her career with Radisson Edwardian Hotels in London in 1991, before moving to Burlington Hotel Dublin, and opening the 5-Star Radisson St Helens Dublin in 1998.
Group Financial Controller
Michael Cullen
Group Financial Controller
Michael joined Cliste Hospitality in 2019 from Entertainment Enterprises. Michael was previously Finance Director of Sprout & Co, and Financial Controller at Bewley’s UK, where over his four year tenure his streamlining of business processes with a resulting saving of circa £100k p.a. With two years as Head of Finance in Metropolis Studios, Michael rejoined Bewley’s UK as Head of Finance in 2015, returning to Ireland in 2016 as Project Lead for Bewley’s Ireland, followed by a year at Bewley’s Cafés Ireland as Financial Controller.
Finance
Head of Reporting
Ruth Savage
Head of Reporting
Ruth Savage was appointed Group Head of Financial Reporting in 2022, following a series of promotions within Cliste Hospitality. Ruth initially joined our group as Financial Controller for the Hillgrove Hotel & Spa, and most recently held the role of Regional Financial Controller for the North-West of Ireland, with responsibility for properties including the Hillgrove Hotel in addition to the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Sligo and the Tullamore Court Hotel.
Director of People & Culture
Deirdre Buckley
Director of People & Culture
Deirdre joined Cliste Hospitality in 2018 from the Barry Group, where she was HR Business Partner for over 3 years. Prior to that Deirdre was Regional HR Director for Dalata Hotel Group. Deirdre successfully led many programmes such as Great Place to Work, the Failte Ireland Optimus, Excellence Through People along with many communication, engagement & consultation and reward & recognition initiatives delivering significant operational efficiencies and value to both employers and employees.
Human Resources
International Talent Acquisition Manager
André Claro
International Talent Acquisition Manager
With two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, André Claro joined Cliste Hospitality as International Talent Acquisition Manager in February 2022. He is devoted to showcasing career prospects within the organisation and cultivating a sense of unity among team members. Prior to his tenure at Cliste, André held significant roles at renowned companies such as Assistant HR Manager at The Marker Hotel in Dublin and HR Manager at The Montenotte in Cork.
Group Learning & Development Manager
Trevor McCarthy
Group Learning & Development Manager
As Group Learning & Development Manager, Trevor creates, designs, and implements effective L&D programmes across our portfolio to ensure capability in our businesses through the means of our Learn, Evolve, Thrive ethos. Trevor has a wealth of experience in both the academic and hospitality sectors having joined Cliste in 2022 from the O’ Donoghue Ring Collection, and was previously Programme Leader and Lecturer at both Shannon College of Hotel Management and Limerick Institute of Technology.
International Talent Acquisition Specialist
Roberta Meloni
International Talent Acquisition Specialist
Group People & Culture Business Partner
Grace Moore
Group People & Culture Business Partner
Grace’s role will guide the People & Culture strategy alongside the hotel leadership teams in the key areas of talent attraction, development, and retention in our properties located in the Midlands, Dublin & northeast region.
Group Operations Director
Chris Austin
Group Operations Director
Chris joined Cliste Hospitality in 2019 from Tifco Hotel Group, where as Regional Operations Manager for 7 years he managed a diverse portfolio of Hotels & Resorts. Prior to this, Chris was Operations Director at The Shelbourne Hotel and the Marriott Druids Glen Resort. Chris' international experience includes the Jumeriah Hotel Group in Dubai, senior roles at the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados, the Hilton Hotel Group, and Ashford Castle, as well as managing several restaurants and bars across the UK.
Operations
Regional Operations Manager - South
Brian Bowler
Regional Operations Manager - South
Brian joined Cliste Hospitality in 2022 from The Montenotte Hotel where, as General Manager for 5 years, his creation of innovative guest experiences led the hotel to become No. 1 on TripAdvisor in Cork City. Prior to this, Brian was General Manager at The Brehon Hotel in Killarney for 3 years and Hotel Manager at Carton House Resort. Brian also spent 4 years as Deputy General Manager with The Clarion Hotel Group in Cork & Limerick. Brian is the current National President of the Irish Hospitality Institute.
Group Executive Chef
Stefan Matz
Group Executive Chef
Stefan joined Cliste Hospitality in August 2019, leading the group's food & beverage strategies, and developing new dining concepts, as well as nuturing both existing and prospective talent through the creation of an in-house Chef Academy. Stefan was previously owner & Head Chef of the Michelin-starred Erriseack House Hotel, Galway. His award-winning career also includes 12 years as Executive Head Chef at Ashford Castle, Head Chef at The G Hotel and Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links.
Project Manager
Veronica Timlin
Project Manager
Veronica is responsible for the planning and opening of new acquisitions & management contracts for Cliste, including establishing the hotel’s operations during the initial stages. Veronica has extensive experience in hospitality as previous owner of The Mayfly Hotel in Mayo, General Manager of The Arlington Hotel, Hotel Manager of The Gresham Dublin, and Area Manager for the Wright Group where she led project management strategies.
Director of Revenue, Marketing & PR
Brenda Murphy
Director of Revenue, Marketing & PR
Brenda joined Cliste in 2018 from the 5-star Castlemartyr Resort, where she was Director of Sales & Marketing for 4 years. Prior to that Brenda ran her own 70-seater restaurant for 6 years. In 2001, Brenda opened the Galway Radisson building it up to be one of the most successful hotels of its time with a turnover of €16M by 2006. Brenda commenced her career with Radisson Edwardian Hotels in London in 1991, before moving to Burlington Hotel Dublin, and opening the 5-Star Radisson St Helens Dublin in 1998.
Sales, Marketing & Yield
Group Director of Digital Marketing
Emer Hallahan
Group Director of Digital Marketing
Emer joined Cliste Hospitality in June 2019 from the global e-commerce group, Yoox Net-A-Porter, where as Group Digital Manager she led web, digital, and social media strategies, and managed teams across London and Milan. Prior to that, Emer spent over 6 years as Communications Project Manager at Kering, whose portfolio of global brands includes Gucci, YSL, Stella McCartney, and PUMA. Emer previously commenced her marketing career as an intern at Vivienne Westwood.
Group Director of Sales
Christian Schmelter
Group Director of Sales
Christian joined Cliste in October 2020, after 6 years as Group Director of Sales at TIFCO Hotel. Christian's primary role is in diversifying the corporate, meeting, and events business, leading a team of 8 sales directors and 2 business development managers in actively prospecting and qualifying new business throughout the group. Christian also leads The iNUA Collection cross-selling programme, and the group’s sales strategy covering corporate and MICE.
Group Revenue Manager
Jane Jordan
Group Revenue Manager
Managing the Revenue for the group, Jane joined Cliste Hospitality in October 2022 having previously worked for 8 years with Staycity Group where she most recently led Revenue Distribution and New opening for the European Aparthotel operator. During her time Jane worked in many revenues roles and was responsible for the revenue pre-opening of a dynamic portfolio of hotels across a variety of cities. Prior to this, Jane held roles in Revenue the Fitzgerald Group. Jane holds a BA in Hotel Management from Galway -Mayo Institute of Technology and an MBA from Dublin Business School.
Director of Innovation & Research
David Jordan
Director of Innovation & Research
David joined Cliste Hospitality in January 2022, from the academic sector having completed his doctorate in place management, lecturing, and setting up his strategic consultancy business. Prior to that, in 2011, David co-founded the Aunty Nellie Sweet Shops, opening 16 stores throughout Ireland. The company was acquired by Hobart Enterprises Group, where David then served as Managing Director, overseeing their manufacturing setup, and assisting with further acquisitions and new product development.
Join Our Team
At Cliste we are committed to a workplace environment that promotes diversity and inclusion. Our culture allows all employees to feel valued and appreciated. Our aim is to create an environment with a wide range of perspectives, and skillsets, that promote innovation.