McAleer & Rushe poaches Mivan manager

Hotel developer McAleer & Rushe has recruited James Hicken as business development director from rival Northern Ireland-based firm Mivan.

Hicken joins McAleer & Rushe’s growing London team, which this month expanded into larger premises on George Street in the west of the capital.

Hicken was a senior business development manager at Mivan for 11 years.

McAleer & Rushe has delivered over 12,000 hotel rooms in 60 hotels across the UK for a range of operators, including Starwood, InterContinental Hotels, Jurys Inn, Arora Hotels and Premier Inn.

McAleer & Rushe recently completed Starwood’s W Hotel in London’s Leicester Square, which was sold to a Qatari investor for £200m.

The design and build contractor also has a portfolio of office and residential developments.

Eamonn Laverty, chief executive of McAleer & Rushe, said: “James has a great track record of delivering business and has a very impressive set of skills and a fantastic contacts book which we are very keen to utilise.

“I’m sure he will play a key role in increasing our market share and growing knowledge of our brand.”

Hicken said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to join a dynamic and successful team who bring traditional values and attitudes coupled with ultra-smart construction methods.

“I love the Northern Ireland mentality of ‘can do’ and ‘whatever it takes’ and I feel very much at home already, and very proud to be wearing the McAleer & Rushe hat.

“I look forward to working with my existing friends in the industry and to making many more new ones.”