Star Group has appointed Sam Egerton as Chief Executive Officer after an extensive international search.
The company is believed to be New Zealand’s largest hospitality group, operating over 50 bars, pubs and restaurants throughout the North Island.
Egerton joins Star Group from Australian hospitality giant, Merivale Group. He brings with him 25 years of experience in the industry, spanning the gamut of the hospitality sector.
Uday Sinha, Chairman of the Star Group Board, said he was pleased to welcome Egerton to the helm of the organisation: “Sam brings with him a deep understanding of hospitality, innovation in customer experience and operational expertise. As a respected, experienced and progressive hospitality leader, Egerton is ideally placed to lead Star Group into its next phase.”
Inspiring Connection
Hospitality runs in Egerton’s blood with generational involvement, and siblings who are also actively involved in their own hospitality careers. He has been recognised by the industry with awards including Australian Bartenders Most Influential List, and Sustainable Bar of the Year, and most recently was in charge of high-profile new venue launches as the General Manager of New Projects at Merivale.
Egerton says the opportunity to lead Star Group is an honour: “Hospitality when done right can positively impact more than just the industry, it’s about bringing people together and inspiring connection and community. I am passionate and really energised about the opportunities for the industry and it’s an honour and privilege to be given the chance to come home to New Zealand to lead this amazing team.”
“I have been fortunate enough to make hospitality my career, which has allowed me to grow into the leader I am today. Star Group has the ability to provide similar pathways within the NZ hospitality industry and I’m excited to be able to help other people on their career journeys,” says Egerton.
Sam takes the reigns at Star Group this week, after relocating back to New Zealand from Sydney.
North Island
Star Group is one of New Zealand’s largest and most connected hospitality operators, with over 50 bars, pubs, restaurants, function spaces, and catering contracts across the North Island. Born from the coming together of two well-known hospitality operators – Joylab and Kāpura – its focus is simply ‘creating hospitality experiences that last – powered by people, product, and partnerships that set the standard.’ the group says.