Whitbread PLC has announced that Shelley Roberts is to be appointed as an independent non-executive director of the company, with immediate effect. She will also join the audit committee of the hospitality company, whose brands include Premier Inn, Brewers Fayre and Bar + Block.

Roberts is currently the group chief commercial officer at Compass Group PLC, and has previously served as managing director of Compass Group’s Australian business.

Prior to Compass, Roberts held leadership roles in a number of consumer-facing businesses in the travel sector, including EasyJet, Tiger Airways and Sydney Airport. Roberts has served as a non-executive director at Webjet Limited, a digital travel business listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, since 2016. She will step down from that position on 22 November 2023.

Commenting on the appointment, Adam Crozier, chair, said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Shelley Roberts as a non-executive director. Shelley has vast experience in the travel and hospitality sector, and in M&A, ESG and corporate transformation, which will be of great benefit to the Whitbread board as we continue to deliver on our key strategic priorities.”