OYO appoints James Matthews to join Martin HP Söderström as Non-Executive Directors for its vacation homes business.

OYO strengthens governance with James Matthews joining Martin HP Söderström on the Board of its vacation homes business
James Matthews’ experience in finance and building successful hospitality brands will lend to OYO extending its leadership position in the region

Zurich/London, October 4, 2021: OYO, the global travel technology company today announced the appointment of James Matthews, CEO and co-founder of Eden Rock Group as a non-executive director for one of its vacation homes business entities, OYO Vacation Homes B.V. James is the second non-executive director to join the OYO Vacation Homes’ board after Martin HP Söderström, the chairman of DIG Investment, who joined the board in January.

James joins the board at a time when holiday homes have gained tremendous popularity and the company is steadily scaling its operations across multiple markets in Europe. James brings with him a broad range of leadership experience and a proven track record of success in various industries. James is CEO of Eden Rock Group and has overseen the development of the business to become a multi-award winning investment firm. James is also a shareholder of Eden Rock Hotel (St Barths) and is a board member of Sheffield Business Park and Williams F1.

Presently, OYO Vacation Homes is on the move as it recently announced to have entered a multi-year strategic alliance with Microsoft to co-develop next-gen travel and hospitality products and technologies.

Through the prolonged pandemic, holiday homes have become more mainstream and across all the OYO Brands in Europe, Belvilla, DanCenter, Danland, Traum Ferienwohnungen, TUI Ferienhaus, the company is actively building partnerships for further growth. It offers fully managed, private homes in desirable locations in 35 countries worldwide, and is already a leading player in the European holiday home market.

As a non-executive member of the board, James will leverage his strategic and analytical strength and work closely with the leadership team of OYO Vacation Homes, the Founder and the OYO Vacation Homes Board to offer valuable insights and experience to extend its leadership position in the vacation homes space in Europe.

Welcoming its newest board member, Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and Group CEO, OYO Hotels & Homes and Chairperson of OYO Vacation Homes B.V. said “We are delighted to welcome James to OYO’s Board. He brings with him a long standing record of success and unique insight to the business as we continue on our journey in Europe. OYO is fortunate to benefit from his vision and expertise at this important phase of our transformation”.

Commenting on his appointment, James said. “I’m delighted to be part of a company that has a runway of tremendous opportunity. I look forward to working with Ritesh, the leadership team, and my fellow board members to lead OYOs transformation and build-on customers’ trust and continued preference for small and independent boutique homes and hotels as we emerge from the pandemic”.

Anders Persson, spokesperson for Martin HP Söderström also commented “OYO has shown great resilience during the pandemic and its holiday homes business in Europe has led the recovery. Martin looks forward to taking an active role in enabling OYO’s global growth and enabling more strategic partnerships. With his long track record as an investor at the highest level he is sure he can be of great value”.

About OYO
OYO is a global platform that empowers entrepreneurs and small businesses with hotels and homes by providing full-stack technology that increases revenue and eases operations; bringing easy-to-book, affordable, and trusted accommodation to customers around the world. OYO offers 40+ integrated products and solutions to patrons who operate the hotel and home storefronts across India, Europe, and Southeast Asia and 35 countries.