Laundy Hotels appoints Chief Operating Officer

NSW-based pub group Laundy Hotels has appointed Manly Wharf Hotel’s Justin Tynan to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer. 

Tynan will report directly to Arthur Laundy and will be responsible for the sizeable Laundy Hotels portfolio when the role kicks off in April. 

Tynan and Laundy have known each other for twenty years, and last year the pair partnered alongside entrepreneur Aaron Crinis in the purchase of the Woolpack Hotel in Sydney’s Redfern. 

Arthur Laundy said of the appointment, “I’ve always had a lot of time for Justin and I offered him a job many years ago as I admired his attitude.”

He told Australian Hotelier that while the group is still making acquisitions, refurbishing projects remained a strong focus for the family.

“I’m interested in building side of things at present and my kids are too. They have a lot on their plates with that, so I’ve been left with the running of the hotels.

“I’m looking for someone to take the pressure off me as well as my kids. With Justin coming on board, he will handle a lot of the hotels.”

During his career, Tynan has been involved in all stages of more than 100 hospitality venues, from conception through to day-to-day operations, as well as major music festivals.

Tynan’s hospitality experience spans 30 years and includes 13 years with Merivale in various General Manager/licensee roles across the group, including a key role during the construction of the ivy, and he became its General Manager in 2008. 

Since 2013, Tynan has worked with May Hotels (Manly Wharf Hotel, Burleigh Pavilion, Mrs Sippy Double Bay, and Mrs Sippy Bali – a venue he still has a stake in) in the role of Group General Manager.

In his new role at Laundy Hotels, Tynan will be tasked with overseeing two major Laundy Hotels refurbishments as well as future acquisitions for the expanding group. 

“I’m thrilled that there’s plenty to hit the ground running with including major refurbs at both Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel and the Log Cabin on the Nepean and no doubt more acquisitions ahead for the group, as well as for me personally,” he said. 

“I hope I can input some of my experience into those two venues, and have a look at running some of the larger hotels.”

Tynan said he and Arthur have a similar approach to running pubs, which included a focus on good service with a friendly atmosphere. 

“Arthur has been wanting to appoint someone for some time – it’s a pretty hands-on job, and I’ll be helping with the current portfolio – the Laundy family hotels, not the co-owned hotels,” Tynan told Australian Hotelier. 

“This is an opportunity to work with one of the best publicans in the country. Arthur is an old school publican and I’ve got the utmost respect for him, and we have a good working relationship.”