Our
TEAM

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.

Sean’s management career started with Intercontinental & Great Southern Hotel Groups. He held the position of General Manager at the Brehon Hotel and Muckross Park Hotel and was on the management board of the Gleneagle Hotel Group for 7 years. Sean joined Cliste Hospitality in 2016 as COO, and was appointed CEO in February 2020. Sean is also National VP of The Irish Hotels Federation, former National President of The IHF and former National President of SKAL International (World Tourism Org.)

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.

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.

Prior to joining Cliste Hospitality, Michael Ryan was Director of Finance with Woodie’s DIY, Home & Garden retailer for over 20 years. During his time with Woodie’s, the company grew from 10 stores to 35 stores. During his time with the company, Michael oversaw functions such as IT, logistics & supply chain, and human resources. In his new role with Cliste Hospitality, Michael will be responsible for financial planning, group strategy, risk management and stakeholder.  

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.

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.

Andrew Drysdale has had a long and successful career as General Manager in the hospitality industry. Andrew spent three years as General Manager at Farnham Estate Golf & Spa Resort in Cavan, before becoming General Manager at the Radisson Blu Hotel Galway for three years. Andrew went on to manage the five-star G Hotel in Galway, before becoming General Manager at Glasson Lakehouse Resort in Athlone. In his new role with Cliste Hospitality, Andrew will be responsible for product development across food & beverage, conference & events, and spas & leisure centres. He will also be responsible for overseeing the group corporate and international sales strategies and the group procurement strategy.

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.

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.