Former Vice President of Business Development Pat Murray succeeds Michael Svagdis as CEO and is tasked with building upon the travel concession operator’s robust sales and outlet growth in the US and Canada
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Pat Murray, SSP America | Photo credit: SSP Group handout
SSP Group has appointed Pat Murray as the new CEO of its SSP America subsidiary, effective immediately.
Murray joined the travel concession operator in 2007 as Vice President of Business Development and was promoted to Deputy CEO of SSP America in 2022. He succeeds Michael Svagdis as CEO.
In a press release, SSP Group said Murray has been a key figure in the ‘exceptional recent growth’ of its North America segment. Group sales in the region increased 22% year-on-year during the 12 months ended 30 September 2024 to reach £814m ($987m), accounting for nearly a quarter of SSP Group’s global £3.4bn ($4.1bn) full-year revenues.
“North America is a hugely important, high-growth market for the group, and Pat’s exceptional leadership qualities and industry experience make him the ideal person to drive the business forward as we capitalise on the growth opportunities that we see ahead of us,” said Patrick Coveney, CEO, SSP Group.
London-based SSP Group currently operates 2,900 food and beverage travel hub outlets across 38 markets globally.
Formed in 2006, SSP America operates 270 licensed and proprietary foodservice brands across 53 airports in the US and Canada, as well as LF Wade International Airport in Bermuda and GRU Airport – Aeroporto Internacional de São Paulo, Brazil. Its portfolio of licensed café brands includes Dunkin’ and Peet’s Coffee, as well as Starbucks and Bridgehead Coffee in Canada.