• January 21, 2026

Interview: Nicola Byrne on launching Knightsbridge Global Representation

Interview: Nicola Byrne on launching Knightsbridge Global Representation

Interview: Nicola Byrne on launching Knightsbridge Global Representation 1024 683 micebook.

After eight years as Strategic Meetings & Events Sales Director – Luxury & Lifestyle at Accor, Nicola Byrne has stepped out on her own, launching Knightsbridge Global Representation. With Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts as her first client, she talks to micebook about why now felt like the right time, what she wants to build, and what success looks like in year one.

What made you decide to launch your own representation company – and why now?

It’s always been a dream of mine to have my own company and work for myself. I’ve worked for big hotel companies for a long time – eight years with Accor, 14 years before that with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, three years with Pan Pacific Hotels – and now just felt like the right time.

Tell us about Knightsbridge Global Representation – and your first client

My first client is Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts which is part of H-World International (formerly Deutsche Hospitality), which I’m really excited about.  They haven’t had UK representation for a couple of years, so my focus will be putting them back on the map for UK MICE buyers.   The main client I’m working with at Steigenberger happens to be someone I worked with many years ago at Starwood, so we already know each other – it felt like the stars were aligned. It’s a small world!

What does the Steigenberger portfolio look like?

They have around 60 properties, but my primary focus will be on eight key hotels – encompassing their luxury icon properties. These are iconic five-star hotels in key destinations, perfect for meetings and events.

For example, the Steigenberger Europaischer Hof in Baden Baden, which has just had a multi-million-euro renovation and is stunning, and the Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof in Frankfurt, a legendary hotel in the heart of Frankfurt.  There’s also the Steigenberger Icon Wiltcher’s in Brussels, which is very strong for government and EU business events due to its great location in the city.

Will you only represent hotels, or are you open to other partners?

Initially, the focus is hotels, but I have had an interesting conversation with a DMC as well. I’ve always said that often you need to sell the destination before you sell the hotel, so if the right opportunity came along, I’d be open to representing destinations too.

What kind of clients would you ideally like to add to your portfolio?

I’ll be focusing on high-end, luxury hotels and in an ideal world, I’d love to represent hotels in different parts of the world. Steigenberger is the perfect first client for Europe, but I’d love to have properties covering Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. The more diverse my portfolio is, the more attractive it becomes to clients.

What skills and expertise do you bring to the table for potential partners?

Strategy, first and foremost. That’s something you really learn working for large hotel groups – you must have a strategy because you can’t be everything to everyone.

It’s also the relationships I’ve built over years in the industry.  A lot of my agency contacts have become more like good friends – I’ve known them that long. It’s awareness, recognition, being at the right events, and really showcasing my clients properly.

The lovely thing now is that I’m small enough to give my clients the best possible service. I can really drill down into what they need and support them properly.

How do you plan to get Steigenberger and future clients in front of buyers?

I’m at micebook EXPO next month, which I’ve done in the past and know works well and plan to host my own event post-EXPO. I’ll also be attending as many trade events as possible, doing roadshows and general sales activity.

The big difference for me now is freedom.  When I worked for a large group, it was more restrictive and had to be due to portfolio size, so I only looked after certain agency accounts.  Now I can rekindle some previous relationships and make new ones, expanding my network. That’s incredibly exciting.

What inspired the name Knightsbridge Global Representation?

My first job after college was at Harrods in Knightsbridge, and that’s where I met my husband. So, Knightsbridge has a lot of personal meaning for me.

The butterfly in the logo is all about transformation & change.  It’s life cycle, from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, makes it a powerful symbol of personal growth, renewal and the idea of becoming something new.  It also commonly represents freedom and lightness. Butterflies move with ease and are not confined to one place, which links them to independence, joy, and a sense of emotional or spiritual release and that really reflects where I am right now.

What would success look like in 12 months’ time?

To have more clients, to see some great bookings for Steigenberger, and to be happy in what I’m doing. I feel excited – like a kid in a candy store. It’s going back to basics, but with the benefit of all the experience I’ve built up over my career.

Join Our Community

Join our community and receive the latest trending industry news in our weekly Departure Lounge and exclusive invites to events





    WordPress Ads