UK-based independent hotel collection BWH Hotels GB has hired Gary Wallace as its new chief financial officer and Akshada Kodag as national sales manager for premium and extended stay. The appointments come as the company looks to expand its corporate and extended stay offerings. Wallace will replace Adrian Burrows, who is retiring after more than 14 years in the role.
Financial Strategy Shift
Wallace joins BWH Hotels GB from Time to ACT, a public engineering and investment company focused on clean energy transition, where he previously served as CFO. In his new position, he will focus on data-driven decision-making and strengthening performance across the portfolio. “Good finance isn’t about saying no, it’s about helping a business invest confidently where value can be created, while making sure risks are understood,” Wallace said. “My focus will be on using data and commercial insight to support better decision-making, strengthen performance and create greater value for our portfolio of hotels.”
The move signals a shift toward more analytical financial management at the collection. Burrows’s departure after a decade and a half on the finance team leaves a gap that Wallace must fill while the business handles a changing economic setting. The company has not disclosed when Wallace will officially take over, though he has already begun his tenure at BWH Hotels GB.
Related: IHM 2027 Travel and Hospitality Ones to Watch
Expanding Corporate Partnerships
Akshada Kodag brings more than 20 years of experience across the hospitality industry to her new role. Her background includes working with major hotel brands such as Kempinski, InterContinental, Hilton, Macdonald, and Accor. Kodag will be responsible for driving sales within the premium and extended stay segments. “Business travel is becoming much broader than the traditional overnight stay, with growing demand for longer, more flexible and experience-led trips,” Kodag said. “I see a real opportunity to connect BWH’s premium and extended stay hotels with corporate buyers and specialist agencies looking for something beyond the standard business hotel.”
This expansion of sales strategy appears necessary as corporate travel habits evolve. Companies are increasingly seeking accommodations that offer longer stays and flexible amenities rather than simple overnight lodging. Kodag’s role is to bridge the gap between these specialized needs and BWH’s existing properties. Her network of industry connections, built over two decades, will be a key asset in securing these new partnerships. The national sales manager will work to align the hotels’ offerings with the specific demands of modern corporate clients.
By combining Wallace’s financial oversight with Kodag’s sales experience, BWH Hotels GB aims to position itself for growth in the premium and extended stay market. The company faces the challenge of integrating these two new leaders into its existing operations while maintaining the stability provided by its long-term members.
