A Quick Chat with Mairea Doyle Balfe

As the Executive Director of Corporate Development at Cliste Hospitality, Mairea Doyle Balfe is playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic growth and operational excellence. In this exclusive feature, she reflects on the key milestones of 2024, challenges the industry faces, and what lies ahead for Cliste in 2025.

HOW WAS BUSINESS IN 2024?
Business was good. The hotel sector experienced a real lift in the post-Covid period and levels of growth began to stabilise.
I expect that to continue this year. I also expect to see costs continuing to rise, which will make business that bit more challenging. Trying to give guests the same level of guest experience while managing costs is difficult.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR?
I began my career with Hilton and Aramark before moving into consultancy with PKF in the US. I worked there for about eight vears and then moved back to Ireland to work with Horwath Bastow Charleton before moving to Crowe Ireland as a Director. I joined Cliste in 2023 and I love the role. It’s a great team and a more fast-paced environment compared to professional services.

DO YOU ENJOY THAT TYPE OF FAST-PACED ROLE?
I do. I really enjoy the dynamism and agility of hospitality. What I love most about it though is the people. Hospitality is very much a people business and that’s the heart of what Cliste seeks to acheive.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING THE SECTOR?
Costs is a major one and has been for the last few years.
Increases around payroll and legislative requirements are also taking their toll. I think making the industry an attractive and career driven proposition for young people is difficult.
Collectively, we have to work hard to get the message across that hospitality is a great sector to have a career in.

CLISTE OPENED ITS FIRST HOTEL IN BELFAST AT THE END OF 2023
We did. voca Belfast, part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), underwent a £3.5 million refurbishment last year, which included a new reception, bar and restaurant, conference facilities and guest bedrooms. It’s doing very well; the team there are starting to see the same faces coming in again and again which is very encouraging.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
I think being true to who you are is so important. That’s why I like working at Cliste, it’s a very people-oriented company. Paul and Sean are so great to work for.

WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR 2025?
To continue to grow and bring more hotels into the collection.
We currently have 16 properties and we have the ability to scale up and manage more.

WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THE SUCCESS OF CLISTE TO?
Cliste is made up of a focused and driven team who are determined to grow the brand. We also have an innovation team that’s responsible for developing an innovation mindset at. each of the hotels, giving management the chance to constantly question the status quo. That kind of thinking empowers people and allows for change. Sometimes, small changes can have the biggest impact. I think that’s a really strong part of why the group works so well.