Distinguished alumni
Michael Tye
BSc Management Sciences 1976
Chairman, Moto Hospitality Group; Haulfryn Group
Michael received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018 for his successful and transformative career in the retail industry.
Mike has enjoyed over 40 years in consumer businesses across roles in fast-moving consumer goods, retail, and various sectors of the leisure and hospitality industries. He has worked in marketing, sales, strategy, operations and general management capacities in the UK and covered various parts of Europe, North America and the Middle East.
Post-graduation and a formative early career with United Biscuits, Mike teamed up with his father and another partner to create, develop and eventually sell a successful family business focused on retail, wholesale and agency brands in the UK – the perfect learning ground for his future commercial and corporate career.
He later joined Whitbread for a total of 20 years, enjoying spells as Managing Director of Costa Coffee, Premier Inn and David Lloyd Leisure – the latter which he sold into private equity where he spent another spell developing a new skill set.
Mike also enjoyed several years as UK Managing Director of Aramark Business Services, one of the largest employee-owned companies in the world.
Following a period as part of the team rescuing the former FTSE 50 giant Punch Plc during the 2008 financial crisis, Mike moved to an executive role as CEO of Spirit Plc, a FTSE 250 company which grew rapidly from 2011 and was successfully sold in 2015.
Since then, Mike has focused on developing his career as a non-executive director in a variety of companies and sectors.
He is currently Chairman of Moto Hospitality Group, Chairman of Haulfryn Group (luxury holiday and residential park homes), Vice Chair of Prostate Cancer UK, and Non-Exec Director of TRG Plc (restaurants, pubs and concessions). He is also a partner in a small private property development company.