Veeno co-founder steps down as company welcomes new partner: Andrea Zecchino, co-founder of Italian wine cafe Veeno, has stepped down as the company welcomes a new partner. Veeno has appointed Rodrigue Trouillet as commercial director, who will oversee the business’ development strategy and marketing operations. Trouillet will also become a partner and investor in the company to support its expansion plans. As a result Zecchino, who is chief financial officer, is stepping down after five years, the company having grown to 19 sites during the period. Zecchino founded Veeno with Nino Francesco Caruso in Manchester in November 2013. Caruso said: “It has been an amazing journey so far and I am very proud of the brand Andrea and I have built. I want to wish him all the best for his future endeavours. I’m excited Rodrigue is joining the team. His experience in business strategy further strengthens our position to grow and develop Veeno as a strong brand.” Trouillet was vice-president of Walt Disney Company’s media networks division for the EMEA region. He said: “I am delighted to join Veeno and look forward to growing the brand as well as further developing quality products and services to our valued customers. I am excited to be part of a great team.”

Prezzo chief financial officer to join Staycity: Prezzo chief financial officer Wayne Arthur is leaving the company to take up the same position with aparthotel operator Staycity. Propel revealed on Friday (30 November) that Arthur was leaving Prezzo having joined the company in March 2017. It has now been confirmed Arthur will leave Prezzo in mid-January to join Staycity. Tom Walsh, chief executive and co-founder of Staycity, told Propel: “I am delighted Wayne Arthur is joining Staycity as chief financial officer. Wayne brings with him a wealth of experience gained over 20 years in financial roles in the hospitality sector, including ten years at Premier Inn where he was part of the growth story from 10,000 to 65,000 rooms. During his time at Premier Inn, he held a number of positions including financial controller, head of trading where he was responsible for revenue management and pricing, strategic planning director and three years as finance director for the UK business. Wayne’s broad commercial and financial expertise will be a huge asset in supporting Staycity to deliver its exciting growth plans and I look forward to welcoming him to the team.” Staycity was founded in 2004 by brothers Tom and Ger Walsh and the company has 4,500 apartments – operational and pipeline – across the Staycity Aparthotels and Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity brands. The first of the company’s premium Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity opened earlier this year in the Strand, London, with sites to follow in Edinburgh, Manchester and Berlin. The company will open its fourth Dublin aparthotel on Monday (3 December) in Chancery Lane.