Megan Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer (Credit: The Social Hub)
Megan Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer (Credit: The Social Hub)

Scots-founded hospitality group appoints new COO ahead of European membership launch

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Hospitality leader Megan Kennedy joins the Scots-founded hybrid hospitality pioneer to spearhead operational excellence and membership growth.

The Social Hub, a leading European hybrid hospitality provider, has appointed Megan Kennedy as its new chief operating officer, effective from 1 September.

Kennedy’s arrival marks a strategic move for the Amsterdam-headquartered company as it intensifies its expansion across Europe and prepares to roll out a membership proposition.

Bringing more than two decades of international experience in hospitality and lifestyle businesses, Kennedy joins The Social Hub from London-based members’ club and global impact community The Conduit, where she served as global chief operating officer.

Her background includes overseeing large-scale operations across the Americas for hospitality brand Selina. Her experience of scaling complex multi-site operations while prioritising people, culture and customer experience is expected to be central to The Social Hub’s next phase of growth.

The Social Hub, the Amsterdam-headquartered hospitality group founded by Scottish entrepreneur Charlie MacGregor, operates a model integrating premium hotel rooms, student accommodation, co-working spaces, food and beverage outlets, event venues and community areas under one roof. Originally launched as The Student Hotel, the business rebranded as The Social Hub in 2022.

Kennedy will report to chief operating and commercial officer Eyal Amzallag and will lead operational excellence across The Social Hub’s expanding European portfolio.

Her immediate focus will include embedding the new membership offering, strengthening operational execution across the business, and ensuring future investment in technology and artificial intelligence enhances both customer and employee experiences.

Kennedy said: “This is an amazing time to join The Social Hub as we prepare to launch our membership proposition across Europe later this autumn.

“The Social Hub has built something genuinely distinctive, combining hospitality with community in a way very few businesses have achieved. I’m excited to join at such an important point in its journey as we get ready to roll out membership – we’re going to blow minds with this.”

She added: “My first priority will be to spend time with our teams, understand what already makes The Social Hub special and help strengthen the operational foundations that allow the business to continue growing without losing the character and experience people value so highly.

“Ultimately, operational excellence is about creating consistency for guests and members while giving teams the confidence and freedom to deliver exceptional experiences every day.”

Kennedy said her initial priorities include embedding The Social Hub’s membership offer, improving operational execution and ensuring technology and AI developments support both customers and employees.

Amzallag said: “Megan is a rare leader who understands that great hospitality is built on great people and operational excellence, in equal measure.

“As we scale across Europe, her experience is exactly what we need to grow without losing what makes The Social Hub unique. She builds high-performing teams, grows complex operations, and strengthens culture as a business grows.

“We’re creating a movement, places where people belong, connect, and thrive, and Megan will play a role in making sure it expands without losing its soul.”

Kennedy will be based in Barcelona and work across The Social Hub’s European portfolio, with regular time spent at the company’s Amsterdam headquarters.

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