Norman Springford is a Scottish businessman and former accountant best known as the founder and former Executive Chairman of Apex Hotels. Born in December 1944, Springford began his professional career working for the Inland Revenue. He subsequently transitioned into entrepreneurship, managing a diverse portfolio of leisure properties that included public houses, bingo halls, and the historic Edinburgh Playhouse.
In 1996, Springford established his first hotel, the Apex International Hotel, in Edinburgh. Under his leadership, the Apex Hotels group expanded significantly, growing to encompass ten properties across major UK cities, including London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Bath. He served as the company's chairman until 2014, when he stepped down and handed the leadership of the business over to his son, Ian.
Beyond his hospitality enterprise, Springford has been active in civic and community initiatives in Scotland. He served as the chairman of The Ross Development Trust and was credited with saving the Princes Street Gardens ice rink in 2011. In recognition of his significant contributions to the Scottish tourism industry, Springford was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in June 2018.
