David Clifton has been announced as the new CEO of Momento Hospitality, as the family-owned pub group restructures to reflect its growth and complexity.
With the group having added several venues to its portfolio over the last five years and a couple of significant projects underway, Momento Hospitality’s ownership have addressed the business’ growing complexity by appointing a new CEO, David Clifton.
Clifton has a substantive background in senior management positions in hospitality, including working at Merivale in various roles between 2008-2020, most recently as group general manager. His most recent role was as CXO at Redcape, overseeing the operating performance of 40 pubs.
“I am excited and honoured to join a progressive hospitality company with significant growth opportunities. I look forward to building on the incredible work the team have already done focusing on its people, our customers, and the communities in which it operates,” stated Clifton.
Marcello Colosimo will move from the CEO role to Executive Chair, working closely with Clifton for the rest of 2024 in a handover capacity.
Colosimo told Australian Hotelier that appointing a new CEO has been in the works for some time as the business has expanded considerably.
“Momento has grown significantly over the last several years; appointing a non-family CEO is a part of this growth and has been in planning for some time as our new projects came onboard. We were lucky enough that Dave’s timing fitted perfectly to this.
“I have known Dave for several years and watched his success in various roles. Not only is he a great operator but more importantly he is a great person. His approach and leadership style is well suited to our family’s business,” stated Colosimo.
As part of a broader organisational restructure, John Vamos has also been appointed to the Momento Hospitality board as Independent Chair.
“An independent chair brings new skills and disciplines to a family business, having six brothers as shareholders and future generations looking to come into the business,” Colosimo explained.
The appointments of Clifton and Vamos add to a senior leadership that Colosimo credits with the success and growth of the group.
“We have a fantastic senior leadership team currently, many who have been with us for 10+ years, and with Jacqui Corbett starting as COO with us a year or so ago.”
The current major project for Momento Hospitality is the opening of Oran Park Hotel, with the first stage to open to the public next month, followed by the second stage of the mammoth project later in the year.
Clifton outlined his immediate focus in the CEO role.
“Building relationships with team, reviewing current strategy and developing the next five-year plan. We also have a number or redevelopments nearing completion – Oran Park Hotel, Hudson Hotel & Events, Silverwater Hotel – so the focus will be ensuring that we are delivering great memories for our customers the moment we open.”