Tom Walsh
Co-Founder / Chief Executive Officer
Tom Walsh founded Staycity in 2004 with his brother Ger when they spotted a gap in the market for a mid-market, user-friendly alternative to hotel accommodation. Beginning with just one apartment in Dublin, strong bookings for short let stays prompted the addition of further aparthotels in London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and Paris. The company now has over 7,000 apartments across 14 European cities with plans to operate 15,000 by 2026. Tom was previously an engineer, working as plant manager of Henkel Loctite Ireland, a high-tech chemical and biomedical manufacturer. He holds a primary degree in engineering (Dublin) and a first class honours business degree from UCD.
Tom Walsh
Co-Founder / Chief Executive Officer
Tom Walsh founded Staycity in 2004 with his brother Ger when they spotted a gap in the market for a mid-market, user-friendly alternative to hotel accommodation. Beginning with just one apartment in Dublin, strong bookings for short let stays prompted the addition of further aparthotels in London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and Paris. The company now has over 7,000 apartments across 14 European cities with plans to operate 15,000 by 2026. Tom was previously an engineer, working as plant manager of Henkel Loctite Ireland, a high-tech chemical and biomedical manufacturer. He holds a primary degree in engineering (Dublin) and a first class honours business degree from UCD.
Keith Freeman
Chief Operating Officer
Keith Freeman was appointed Chief Operating Officer at Staycity in 2014. He previously worked at Whitbread for over eight years, most recently as a Regional Manager for the Premier Inn brand, opening new sites and establishing the brand in Ireland. Prior to Whitbread Keith worked at various establishments in the hospitality and leisure sector, gaining experience in many departments and a reputation for being a hands-on operator with meticulous attention to detail.
Wayne Arthur
Chief Financial Officer
Wayne Arthur joined Staycity in January 2019 from casual dining chain Prezzo, where he had been CFO. Prior to that he was Finance Director of Premier Inn having held a number of positions at the company including Financial Controller, Head of Trading - responsible for revenue management and pricing, Strategic Planning Director, and three years as Finance Director for the UK business.
Wayne Arthur
Chief Financial Officer
Wayne Arthur joined Staycity in January 2019 from casual dining chain Prezzo, where he had been CFO. Prior to that he was Finance Director of Premier Inn having held a number of positions at the company including Financial Controller, Head of Trading - responsible for revenue management and pricing, Strategic Planning Director, and three years as Finance Director for the UK business.
Barry Hickey
Group Development Director
Barry Hickey joined Staycity in 2015 to lead the group’s expansion strategy. Prior to that Barry held senior finance and board positions in well know Irish owned businesses most notably as Finance Director for Ballymore Group, Mater Private Hospital and Fonua. Barry has successfully led on Staycity’s expansion into new markets with new openings in Germany and Italy along with a great portfolio in Ireland, France and the UK.
Paula Mullaney
Commercial Director
Paula Mullaney joined Staycity in April 2008 as Group Revenue Manager having previously worked for the Jurys Doyle Hotel Group in Ireland for 10 years in various operational and revenue management roles. During this time Paula worked in established 3, 4 and 5 star properties as well as being responsible for many new openings across various locations. Paula is now Commercial Director at Staycity whereby her duties include the development and implementation of the company’s commercial strategies in order to accelerate its growth ambitions.
Paula Mullaney
Commercial Director
Paula Mullaney joined Staycity in April 2008 as Group Revenue Manager having previously worked for the Jurys Doyle Hotel Group in Ireland for 10 years in various operational and revenue management roles. During this time Paula worked in established 3, 4 and 5 star properties as well as being responsible for many new openings across various locations. Paula is now Commercial Director at Staycity whereby her duties include the development and implementation of the company’s commercial strategies in order to accelerate its growth ambitions.
Jason Delany
Director of Brand, Product & Marketing
Jason Delany joined Staycity at its launch in March 2004 as Director of Sales & Marketing, a position he held for twelve years before progressing to the role of Director of Brand, Product & Marketing. During this time Jason has successfully helped Staycity expand into new territories with recent new openings in Italy and Germany to add to the portfolio in Ireland, France and the UK. Jason was also responsible for the launch of the company’s new premium brand Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity in London in 2018 which has since seen further expansion into Berlin and Edinburgh. Prior to this Jason held key senior management roles in the hotel sector as well as working abroad for Marriott Hotels in California.
Paolo Dona
Chief Information Officer
Paolo Dona joined Staycity in 2019 as a highly-experienced CIO/CTO with in-depth understanding and knowledge of web development, with a proven ability to conceive products from scratch and roll them out at a global scale. Previously Paolo held roles as CTO and then Managing Director at Homestay.com where he oversaw the restructuring of the business and managed the shift to a sustainable organic growth plan. Prior to that Paolo worked as Lead Developer and then Product Manager at The Mobile Interactive Group.
Paolo Dona
Chief Information Officer
Paolo Dona joined Staycity in 2019 as a highly-experienced CIO/CTO with in-depth understanding and knowledge of web development, with a proven ability to conceive products from scratch and roll them out at a global scale. Previously Paolo held roles as CTO and then Managing Director at Homestay.com where he oversaw the restructuring of the business and managed the shift to a sustainable organic growth plan. Prior to that Paolo worked as Lead Developer and then Product Manager at The Mobile Interactive Group.