Published on
November 21, 2025
Accor has appointed Graham Dodd as the new Vice President of Development for the UK & Ireland, reinforcing its leadership in one of its priority European markets. Dodd’s appointment is a strategic move to accelerate the growth of Accor’s Premium, Midscale, and Economy hotel brands in the region. This decision comes in response to growing investor demand for scalable, conversion-ready hotel platforms, a market trend that Accor aims to capitalise on to expand its footprint in the UK & Ireland.
Graham Dodd’s Extensive Experience in Hospitality Development
Bringing over 20 years of experience in hospitality and property advisory, Graham Dodd is a highly qualified leader in hotel development. Dodd’s career began at Christie & Co, where he spent a decade as a Director advising hotel owners, investors, and financial institutions on asset strategies and transactions. He later joined Hilton, where he held various senior roles, including Development Director UK & Ireland and Managing Director. Dodd’s leadership at Hilton contributed to overseeing brand rollout, deal structuring, and expansion efforts across the UK & Ireland, making him well-positioned to lead Accor’s development efforts in the region.
Dodd to Lead Development Activities for Accor’s Key Brands
At Accor, Graham Dodd will oversee development activities across the group’s Premium, Midscale, and Economy hotel portfolios in the UK & Ireland. His primary focus will be on conversion-led growth, an approach that involves repositioning existing properties into high-performing hotel brands. This strategy is in line with Accor’s broader goal of creating a sustainable and scalable portfolio that meets the changing needs of owners, developers, and investors.
Dodd’s remit includes the expansion of well-established brands such as Mercure, ibis Styles, and Novotel, as well as newer brands like TRIBE, Handwritten Collection, and greet, which have strong growth potential in the region. By focusing on flexible operating models and leveraging conversion-ready strategies, Dodd aims to maximise the value of these brands as the UK & Ireland hotel market continues to evolve.
Accor’s Growth Strategy in the UK & Ireland
Accor’s appointment of Dodd reflects several key trends in the European hotel industry. There is an increasing reliance on conversion-led expansion, as hotel owners look to reposition their existing assets rather than engage in costly and complex new-build projects. Additionally, regulatory and financial constraints are making new-build developments more challenging, prompting greater interest in scalable and flexible hotel operating platforms.
Investors are also showing a preference for multi-brand platforms that provide risk-mitigated growth, making Accor’s focus on expanding its Premium, Midscale, and Economy brands a strategic response to these industry trends. Dodd’s leadership in this area will help Accor strengthen its presence in the UK & Ireland while continuing to expand its premium and lifestyle brands in international markets.
Enhancing Operational Capability and Talent Development
In addition to his development responsibilities, Dodd will play a role in building Accor’s operational capability. The company is investing heavily in its teams, with a new immersive training program for on-property staff. This initiative is part of Accor’s broader transformation agenda, which underscores the importance of developing talent to support the rapid growth of its hotel brands. By ensuring that Accor’s teams are well-equipped to manage new hotel developments, the group is enhancing its ability to deliver excellent service and drive hotel performance.
Commitment to Sustainability and Environmental Goals
Accor is also dedicated to advancing its sustainability efforts. The company is progressing with its environmental roadmap, which includes a supply-chain decarbonisation programme that has been shortlisted for a second industry award at the 25th Hospitality Awards in November 2025. This ongoing commitment to sustainability reflects Accor’s broader transformation strategy, which integrates environmental performance into all aspects of its operations, from hotel development to daily management practices.
Accor’s sustainability initiatives are not only aligned with the company’s growth strategy but also with the growing demand from investors and customers for responsible and sustainable tourism. The company’s continued focus on environmental goals ensures that its portfolio will meet the highest standards of performance in the years ahead.
A Strategic Move for Long-Term Growth
The appointment of Graham Dodd to lead Accor’s development in the UK & Ireland marks a significant step in the group’s efforts to strengthen its leadership in the region. Dodd’s extensive experience in hospitality development, coupled with his expertise in property advisory, makes him an ideal candidate to drive the next phase of Accor’s expansion. His appointment will play a pivotal role in advancing Accor’s conversion-led growth strategy, allowing the group to meet the evolving needs of owners, developers, and investors.
Accor’s ongoing investments in operational capability and sustainability demonstrate the company’s commitment to long-term growth and delivering value to its partners, guests, and investors. With Dodd at the helm, Accor is poised to strengthen its position in the UK & Ireland and continue expanding its presence in key international markets.
