Whitbread Appoints Sam Murphy for Expansion of Premier Inn in London

Whitbread PLC, Premier Inn’s parent company, has added Sam Murphy to their London development team as the Project and Programme Manager. This addition is part of Whitbread’s ongoing efforts to expand its operations in the UK and Ireland.

Murphy will report directly to Whitbread’s head of construction in London and the south and will be responsible for leading the construction of the new Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels in London and the southeast. Whitbread operates over 100 hotels within the M25 and aims to extend its presence to 40 additional locations in the capital.

Simon Lancaster, head of construction for Whitbread in London, expressed confidence in London’s market potential for Premier Inn. He suggested budget brands like Premier Inn have room for growth in London. Murphy’s role will be crucial in managing construction projects across the capital and advising the in-house property acquisition team on the feasibility of new hotel developments.

Murphy brings 18 years of experience in development and project management to his new role. He has previously worked in leading global property consultancies.

Whitbread currently provides over 85,500 Premier Inn rooms across the UK and Ireland, with a long-term goal of 125,000 rooms. The company is working towards having a network of 98,000 rooms by the end of the financial year 2030 through the development of new projects and the extension of existing hotels.

In London, Whitbread is planning or working on three central locations. The company recently obtained planning permission for a 693-room hub by Premier Inn on The Strand, with construction slated to begin in 2025.

Murphy’s appointment marks the fifth addition to Whitbread’s property team this year. Each role focuses on expanding the company’s hotel estate.