A HOLIDAY company said to be the fastest-growing in the UK says it is on course to post record revenues and profits despite Covid-19.

Aria Resorts has announced John Dunford, former boss of the Bourne Leisure Group – operator of Haven, Butlins and Warner Leisure hotels – as its non-executive chairman.

The Bournemouth-based company, formed in 2017, has quickly established a significant position in the industry by acquiring 14 UK sites.

Its capital expenditure plan has seen more than £100million invested in its sites, which include Swanage Bay View, as well as spots in Devon, the Isle of Wight, Yorkshire and Scotland.

Aria says it will report impressive revenue and profit growth in both its lettings and property sales divisions despite Covid-19.

It offers a range of property “buy-in” deals, offering second homes and investment options, with fixed returns of seven per cent. It says early indications suggest sales doubled in 2020.

Mr Dunford said: “Aria has delivered both strong business growth and impressive financial results through a period of great uncertainty and business disruption.

“The UK hospitality industry has had the most challenging year that I can ever recall, and business plans have all had to be rewritten several times over. As we exit from this turbulent period, we need to ensure that we are fully focused on delighting our guests whilst we keep those guests and our employees safe.

“Beyond that, we will focus on both organic and acquisitional growth to continue to drive the performance of Aria Resorts, continually consolidating our position as the proven leader in this sector.”

Earlier this year, the business picked as its chief executive Bobby McGhee, who had led Haulfryn Group since 2013 and has more than 40 years’ experience in leisure and hospitality.

The latest hires complete a series of senior appointments including Paul Nicol, former director of operations at Bourne Leisure, as operations and sales director; Patrick Howard, formerly of Grant Thornton, as finance director; and marketing and strategic growth specialist Simon Pitman as marketing director.

Announcing Mr Dunford’s appointment, Bobby McGhee said: “John’s heavyweight experience, including the reshaping of Bourne with major success, complements our strategic Aria journey thus far, and our direction of travel.

“Our commitment to the delivery of ambitious, significant sustained growth across our industry is clearly evident, and with John’s appointment, we are completing the revitalisation of our board, now arguably the strongest management team in the sector.”