Dominus strengthens leadership team with two senior appointments: Andrew MacDonald joins as Chief Financial Officer and Richard Smith appointed as Senior Advisor

Dominus has appointed Andrew MacDonald as Chief Financial Officer, while Richard Smith, former Chief Executive of Unite Group PLC, has been appointed as Senior Advisor to support Dominus’ long-term growth strategy, as it scales its UK hotel platform and grows its London-focused student housing portfolio.

MacDonald joins Dominus from Sellar, where he was Head of Joint Ventures & Investment, responsible for investments, partnerships, and capital raising. Prior to this, he spent a decade as Head of Real Estate Finance at Schroders, leading investment and financing strategies across multiple sectors.

In his new role, MacDonald will oversee equity capital raising, debt financing, risk management, and the development of strategic, long-term partnerships with institutional investors, building on the success of Dominus’ first joint venture with Cheyne Capital. The JV partnership acquired 65 Fleet Street last year, which is being transformed from an underutilised office into an 875-bed student living scheme.

Alongside this, Dominus has appointed Richard Smith as a Senior Advisor to support on its group-wide strategy and help enhance the business’s approach to corporate governance, compliance, and its wider social contribution.

Smith spent 14 years at Unite Group PLC, including eight years as Chief Executive, where he oversaw the growth of the UK’s largest PBSA operator. He currently holds a portfolio of non-executive roles, including Pro Chancellor & Chair at Southampton Solent University and Non-Executive Director at VP PLC.

These appointments follow the recent hires of John Blanshard and Sarah Reynolds as Director of PBSA and PBSA Operations Director respectively, ahead of the launch of a dedicated student platform and brand next year. The company’s first operational PBSA assets will open to students in September 2027.

Dominus currently has 2,300 student beds under construction in the City of London – 35% of which will be delivered at affordable rents. While Dominus’ hotel portfolio, managed by Dominus Hospitality, totals five hotels in London, Bath and Oxford, with a sixth – The Derby London City, Curio Collection by Hilton – set to open in February 2026.

Across the UK, Dominus has 3,800 student beds and 1,700 hotel rooms consented or in the pipeline.

Preet Ahluwalia, Chief Executive Officer, Dominus, said:

“Andrew and Richard bring exceptional experience and leadership at a pivotal stage in Dominus’ journey. Andrew’s financial and investment expertise will strengthen our ability to attract institutional partners and deliver long-term growth, while Richard’s corporate and governance experience will help ensure we grow responsibly and with purpose. Together, they will play a key role in advancing our strategy to deliver market-leading hotels and student housing schemes across the UK.”

Andrew MacDonald, Chief Financial Officer, Dominus, said:

“This is a great time to join Dominus at such an exciting stage in its growth. With a high-quality pipeline of London student schemes and a proven hotel platform, the business is well placed to create long-term value across its portfolio and continue to scale by working with strategic equity and debt capital partners.”

Richard Smith, Senior Advisor, Dominus, said:

“I am delighted to be supporting Dominus. It is a values-driven organisation focused on quality, community and customer experience. The addition of over 800 affordable beds in London and the creation of new cultural spaces at the ground floor of its schemes are examples of its commitment to delivering genuine social value. I look forward to working closely with Preet and the board to deliver Dominus’ strategy.”