Skip to main content
News

08/2018

You are: home > news archive > 08/2018
Crowne Plaza Reading welcomes a new General Manager

Tuesday, 21 August, 2018 - 14:33

The four star Crowne Plaza Reading hotel has appointed James Gardiner to take the reins as its new General Manager. The experienced hotelier from Oxford, will oversee operations at the IHG property, which is part of the RBH portfolio.

James’ appointment at the hotel marks his return to RBH, as he was previously Food & Beverage Manager and later Hotel Manager at then portfolio hotel Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum. His most recent role was General Manager at Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport.

Within his role James will lead operations at the 122-bed hotel, which boasts a health club, spa, restaurant, bar and lounge as well as six conference and meeting rooms.

James Gardiner, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Reading, said: “It’s great to be back at a hotel under RBH’s management and to be taking on my new role at this picturesque venue on the bank of the River Thames.

“I try to be a highly motivational manager and my focus will be to lead my team in continuing to deliver outstanding service for all our guests and visitors.”

The hotel is operated by the UK’s leading independent hotel management company, RBH.

www.rbhmanagement.com

Inntel chief hailed for outstanding contribution to global travel and meetings

Monday, 20 August, 2018 - 16:55

At the recent GBTA’s Global Leaders Dinner in San Diego, Douglas O’Neill, CEO of meetings and travel management company Inntel, was awarded with the elite global Business Travel Service Award. He has been recognised for his exceptional contribution to international travel management.

The Business Travel Service Award has been awarded in the United States for a number of years but only went global in 2017. Receiving the accolade in only its second international year highlights Mr O’ Neill’s outstanding position in business travel worldwide.

The accolade is awarded by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Mr O’Neill was also singled out for his pro-bono service to the association.

GBTA is the voice of the global business travel industry and relies on experienced and dedicated business travel industry professionals to guide its strategy and direction.

As Chair of the GBTA’s Europe Meetings Committee Mr O’Neill willingly shares his broad insight into how companies prepare for home-based, off-site and international meetings attendance.

It honours a select group of experienced travel professionals: GBTA members who have distinguished themselves as industry leaders. Winners must have devoted themselves to their company, their association (both local and national), their fellow business associates and have made contributions to the business travel industry.

“This award recognizes the efforts of exceptional volunteers and you in particular are being recognised for your contribution to the Institute of Travel Management and GBTA,” said Catherine McGavock, Regional Vice President – EMEA for GBTA, announcing that Mr O’Neill had won.

She said: “Douglas has served our UK and Ireland partner, the Institute of Travel Management, as a board member and frequent contributor to ITM events. Douglas was a great board member, his contribution was invaluable; he was always reliable and supportive. For GBTA, Douglas was founding member and Chairperson of the GBTA Europe Meetings Committee. The committee has gone from strength to strength in recent years – co-presenting an entire stream of content at our last conference in Frankfurt.”

Mr O’Neill said: “I am truly honoured to receive this global award, but it represents the hard work of all at Inntel as much as my own contribution. My amazing team make all this possible and they deserve to share in this wonderful recognition from such an influential organisation as the GBTA.”

Inntel’s industry leadership has already been recognised in the UK.  The company was named one of the UK’s top 1000 SMEs by the Daily Telegraph, and was a finalist in the prestigious National Business Awards.

Inntel is the UK’s largest independent meetings and travel management company, and has been an acknowledged expert in meetings, events, accommodation and travel management for more than 30 years.

Under Mr O’Neill’s leadership as CEO since 2001 it has grown to a turnover in excess of £70m with more than 150 staff.

 

HBAA ‘Builds on Success’ at this year’s Annual Forum

Monday, 20 August, 2018 - 14:57

How to make the most of RFPs, millennials and government marketing opportunities for overseas ventures were among the many engaging features of innovative and inspiring programme at this year’s HBAA Annual Forum.

Over 150 delegates took part in a day at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford upon Avon that had a packed agenda of panel debates, speaker and campfire sessions. 

Request for Proposals

Transient RFPs propelled a lively debate with challenging contributions from the panel. Moderated by David Chapple from Centaur Media, the discussion provided valuable insight for both hotels and agencies on how to handle this effectively.

A series of audience polls provided unique analysis into the different approaches between venues and agents. While 85 per cent of hoteliers cited their use of dedicated online platforms, such as Lanyon, to the surprise of many, only 9 per cent of agents admitted to using the service.

Jamie Ades of Visit Britain, brought an extra dimension to meeting destinations in his session ‘Adding Value to Support International Event Growth.’ Providing an update on marketing strategy, Jamie offered expert advice for regional venues to help maximise government funding and resources to increase bookings from overseas.

Millennials

In ‘Venues4Millennials’, Sinead Heneghan from Croke Park Meetings & Events and Aoife McCrum from Soolnua, analysed what the new generation of delegates expect from an event. Event attendees are searching for venues that provide an experiential offering and can demonstrate excellence across three key pillars: food, technology and sustainability.

Variety in offering, flexibility, portion sizing and times are key food trends favoured by millennials, while informal meetings spaces, such as a replicated home kitchen, are becoming increasingly popular. Millennial event planners are keenly aware of minimising their carbon footprint, with demands rising for biodegradable event materials, along with ethically sourced produce.

The Value of Agencies

A debate about the role of agents, facilitated by Hamish Reid of headline sponsor Dubai Business Events was led by contributions from panellists Jemma Peers at Top Banana, Lindsey James from Capita Travel and Events, Ellis Salsby of Ellis Salsby Ltd and Angie Mason from Absolute Corporate Events.. The panel acknowledged that the services demanded from an agent has not changed, but the landscape has, due to the prevalence of technology.

Highlighting the need to add value, the panel agreed that agents should provide a ‘solutions sale’ rather than a ‘facilities sale’ by focusing on the need to create more emotive experiences.

This year’s campfire sessions on hot industry topics such as commission, recruitment, fam trips, social media and the impact of GDPR generated plenty of enthusiastic discussion as well as opportunities to learn valuable lessons from colleagues.

Renowned comedian Marc Hogan closed the proceedings for the Forum with his Edinburgh Festival act. Among the many complimentary comments throughout the day included the team at Silverstone Venues, who enthusiastically tweeted ‘A fantastic day full of interesting discussions and networking, Great closing presentation from Sales & Marketing guru Marc Hogan’.

Louise Goalen, HBAA Chair said: “With a packed programme of inspirational, information and insightful presentations, debates and roundtables, the 2018 Annual Forum truly lived up to this year’s theme of ‘Building on Success’. In addition to a spirited #ForumFest themed dinner and after-party, HBAA members should take great pride in the amount raised for Beyond Food, our charity partner.”

For more details, please visit www.hbaa.org.uk

 

  

A hotel in Edinburgh City Centre operated by RBH, the UK’s leading independent hotel management company, is set to unveil refreshed interiors and a plush extension following recent investment

Monday, 20 August, 2018 - 14:24

A total of £5.25 million has been committed to a number of projects at Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre. Work started late last year on the multi million pound refurbishment with major extension works scheduled to start mid-August.

The makeover will see the hotel’s public areas and bedrooms transformed – with a £3.6 million extension introducing an additional 25 bedrooms on the property.

The refurbishment will bring the hotel in line with the Holiday Inn Express ‘Next Generation’ concept which was developed with industry-leading experts to meet the changing needs of today’s ‘Smart Travellers’.

Project managed by RBH’s capital team, the work has been carried out in phases to ensure guests booked to stay could still enjoy the best possible experience while visiting the capital.

Alex Cameron, General Manager of Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre, said:

This multimillion refurbishment will transform the hotel, as well as adding extra bedrooms so we can accommodate even more guests when they visit the capital. Although the work is extensive, we’ve been carrying it out in stages, so our guests will still enjoy the best possible stay with us. Work has been completed on the lobby, public areas and existing bedrooms, and our 25-bedroom extension will be taking shape in the coming months. We’re very much looking forward to unveiling the finished product to our guests in summer 2019.”

The existing 161 bedrooms and all bedroom corridors have now been upgraded in line with the ‘Next Generation’ redesign and the hotel’s main event breakout area – The Great Room – has been fully refurbished. This created a brighter and more open environment for guests, with a range of new furniture perfect for relaxing, enjoying breakfast, or working.

Brand new bedrooms within the extension will feature large beds with padded, noise reducing headboards, as well as flexible work and rest corners which see traditional desks replaced with comfortable, ergonomically designed multi-use tables and chairs that can be easily moved around the room.

Gregor MacNaughton, Director of Technical Services at RBH, said:

The significant level of investment at Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre is an example of our commitment to enhancing asset value across our growing portfolio. Works like this improve returns for our owners whilst ensuring our hotel guests receive the best possible quality and service when they stay at any of our properties.” 

Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites Manchester - Oxford Road hotel development “The Lume” officially opens this September

Monday, 20 August, 2018 - 14:19

The Lume, a new 19-storey hotel development boasting a Crowne Plaza® and Staybridge Suites®, both hotel brands of IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) will officially open this September in Manchester.

Owned by M&L Hospitality and managed by Cycas Hospitality, the 328-room newly built dual-branded hotel is located in the bustling Oxford Road area, within walking distance of the city centre. Bookings are now open via the Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites websites. 

Crowne Plaza Manchester - Oxford Road, which occupies the lower 12-storeys, features 212 guest rooms, a 120-seat restaurant, bar, fully equipped 24-hour gym, club lounge and seven state-of-the-art meeting rooms catering for over 200 delegates.

The extended-stay brand Staybridge Suites, which is making its Manchester debut, is located on the upper seven floors. Offering a stylish and social environment along with all the comforts of home, Staybridge Suites - Oxford Road will have a mix of 116 modern studio and one-bedroom suites featuring fully-equipped kitchens and exceptional views of the city.

Staybridge Suites guests also have access to a terrace on the 18th floor with panoramic views of Manchester, access to the 24-hour gym, laundry facilities and complimentary hot and cold buffet breakfast in the “Hub” kitchen. The brand also hosts ‘The Social’ three evenings a week, an informal opportunity for guests to mingle and get to know their on-site team over complimentary drinks and nibbles.

The Lume hotel development is ideally located within the Oxford Road Corridor which boasts a workforce of 60,000 people and is home to The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

Close to the city centre and with easy access to transport links, as well as Manchester’s major tourism attractions and commercial hubs, the dual-branded complex will provide an ideal base for all visitors to Manchester including short and long-stay business clients, leisure visitors, entrepreneurs, academics and those visiting the universities nearby.

The dual-branded hotel development forms part of the University of Manchester’s Campus Masterplan, which includes the wider redevelopment of Alliance Manchester Business School. It also adjoins its new two-storey Executive Education Centre, which will provide a new home for the business school’s corporate leadership and management programmes.

The hotel’s General Manager, Andrew Fletcher, said: “With the opening date just weeks away, we’re really excited about how combining two hotels under one roof will give business as well as leisure travellers a new way to experience Manchester.”

“As the way people travel evolves, we wanted to give guests the more flexible accommodation options we know they’re looking for, whether they’re staying for a few nights or a few weeks. The Lume will, for the first-time, offer travellers to the north of England the choice of two different hotel styles in one central location. We’re therefore looking forward to combining personalised home-from-home touches with an on-site restaurant, buzzing bar and extensive meeting facilities in a way that visitors to Manchester haven’t had before.”

Owners M&L Hospitality have worked closely with architects and interior designers to ensure The Lume will be ‘one of a kind’ in Manchester city centre. The contemporary architecture, with floor to ceiling glazing, allows natural light throughout the hotel.

The name ‘The Lume’ was chosen to celebrate the light-filled ‘illuminated’ hotel and as a nod to the textile ‘loom’ - an innovation that helped shape Manchester’s past. It also pays tribute to The University of Manchester’s illustrious ‘alumni’ including Alan Turing, Sir Howard Bernstein and Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington, after whom the meeting rooms are named.

Bookings can be made directly via the hotel’s websites:

Crowne Plaza: www.cpmanchesteroxfordroad.com
Staybridge Suites: www.staybridgesuites.com/manchesteroxfr
For more information, go to thelumemanchester.com

A new General Manager is heading up the team at four-star hotel, The Oxford Belfry

Monday, 20 August, 2018 - 14:15

Robin Ford, from Worcester, will oversee operations at the property, which is currently part of the QHotels portfolio – but is getting set to rebrand and join the DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio.

Experienced hotelier Robin, will lead the 150 strong team at the 154-bed hotel, which boasts a health club, spa, restaurant, bar and lounge as well as 17 conference and meeting rooms.

With more than 18 years’ experience in the industry, Robin has worked in Australia and Ireland, as well as winning senior management roles for some of the UK’s most recognizable brands including Crowne Plaza and Macdonald Hotels.

Robin Ford, General Manager of The Oxford Belfry, said:

I’m pleased to have the opportunity to come on board as general manager at such an exciting time, as the hotel prepares to rebrand and join the DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio. My focus will be on ensuring the team continues to offer our guests the first class service they have come to expect, whether they’re taking a short break with us, attending a conference, or simply popping in for a coffee or a bite to eat.”

The hotel is operated by the UK’s leading independent hotel management company, RBH.

Burleigh Court’s focus on customer service leads to significant rise in net promoter score

Monday, 20 August, 2018 - 09:45

Burleigh Court, part of the Imago Venues portfolio, has seen its net promotor score rise from 59% to 70% in the last six months.

To achieve this, the entire Burleigh Court operations team has come together with a focus on customer service improvements, enhanced by the promotion of Harry Kerr to Conference and Events Manager at the start of the year.  A key part of Harry’s new role was to develop the team and help them achieve significant improvements in Burleigh Court’s BDRC VenueVerdict ratings.  In addition to the net promotor increase the team have also achieved the following:

  • Overall satisfaction has grown from 65.6% to 85.7%.
  • Likelihood to recommend has grown from 66.7% to 100%.
  • Meeting and greeting has grown from 75.3% to 85.7%.
  • Friendliness & Helpfulness has jumped from 85.3% to 100%.

Such a focus on customer service has also been reflected in the fact that 70% of Imago Venues’ top clients are repeat business, whilst Burleigh Court is running 5% ahead in terms of turnover compared to last year.

“Customer service and satisfaction are central to Imago Venues’ ethos and delivery and we wanted that to be reflected even more clearly in our BDRC scores,” comments Emma Boynton, head of sales and marketing at Imago Venues. “Promoting Harry to his new role seemed the perfect way to achieve that.  He is full of positive energy and able to bring out the best in people.  Such an achievement isn’t just due to the efforts of one individual and credit must be given to all those working in and around Burleigh Court.  This is an incredible achievement in just six months and we look forward to seeing even more success moving forward.”

Imago Venues’ customer focused ethos is built around six core values:

  • INSPIRE – Imago Venues looks for inspiration internally and externally to keep it innovative and forward thinking.
  • ENGAGE - Imago Venues wants all staff to feel passionate, motivated and committed to working for Imago.
  • CREATE - Imago Venues is creative in how it develops staff and business so that it can embrace change and continually evolve.
  • FOCUS - Imago Venues focuses on providing a high-quality service, anticipating and responding to customers’ needs.
  • PASSION - Imago Venues is passionate about delivering the best service to customers and taking pride in everything it does.
  • CELEBRATE - Imago Venues is proud to celebrate its diversity, individual strengths and team successes.

Compass Hospitality & Seacare Hospitality Partner to Expand Portfolio in Wales & Scotland

Monday, 20 August, 2018 - 09:43

In line with its sustained strategy of expansion plans within the UK, Compass Hospitality has once again joined hands with Singapore-based Seacare Hospitality to expand into Wales and Scotland with the acquisitions of The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel in Carmarthen, Wales and Best Western Station Hotel in Dumfries, Scotland.

Both companies have previously partnered together for various acquisitions including the Big Sleep Hotels portfolio (now Citrus Hotels UK) and Best Western Queen’s Hotel in Dundee, with the latter being acquired in November 2017. With the addition of the properties in Carmarthen & Dumfries into the portfolio, Compass Hospitality now operates and manages 16 hotels across the UK since the company’s entry into the market in 2015.

The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel dates from the 18th century and offers 70 en-suite bedrooms set within 1.5 acres. The hotel also includes a range of bar, restaurant and private function spaces, external dining trade areas, leisure facilities such as a gym and sauna, and ample private car park.

The Best Western Station Hotel enjoys a prime location adjacent to Dumfries railway station, at the heart of the town. The traditional Victorian hotel houses 32 bedrooms, a courtyard bistro and a lounge bar overseeing a small landscaped garden, and three bespoke event venues. The hotel is well-established as one of the finest hotels in Dumfries and has undergone constant refurbishment programme.

“The performance trends in Wales and Scotland are positive,” Seacare Hospitality Chief Executive Officer Lim Chye Teen commented. “Scotland, in particular, has outperformed the rest of the UK in terms of average profit conversion, underpinned by robust rate growth. We believe both regions are poised for further growth in the near future and we are confident to partner with Compass Hospitality in our properties”.

“We are thrilled to collaborate again with Seacare on this opportunity. We share the same vision to put an immaculate focus on the operations and leverage on opportunities of the hotels to boost performance,” Compass Hospitality's Chief Executive Officer, Harmil Singh said. “While both hotels are already performing very well, a combination of the ongoing positive momentum and the synergies created through our comprehensive portfolio of 16 hotels throughout the UK will bolster the hotel performance even further.”

  

One of the UK’s leading providers of event space announces expansion of City of London venue.

Thursday, 16 August, 2018 - 13:01

etc.venues are delighted to announce that their venue near Monument is expanding across another two floors.  etc.venues Monument opened in 2014 originally over 2 floors and has proved immensly popular with clients in the EC3 area.

Situated on the 5th floor “The Brain Box” urban space will offer views across The City of London with a twist on the usual event venue.  In addition to the cool and contemporary Brain Box, the venue will also offer a new exclusive use conference suite on the 4th  floor for up to 150 delegates plus exhibition space

The venue in detail:

  • Contemporary self contained collaborative space with eclectic décor inspired by nature
  • Decorative lighting and glass walls to take advantage of the 5th floor views
  • Six experience rooms offering a spacious creative learning environment
  • Central communal hub & kitchen designed to inspire, offering pantry tables, relaxed seating and device charging facilities
  • Relax with a range of board games, complimentary soft drinks and “help yourself” pick & mix sweets

The additional floors will open in Autumn 2018.

further information on etc.venues Monument, call Nadia Zakhari on 0203 735 2700, visit www.etcvenues.co.uk

Going Dippy

Thursday, 16 August, 2018 - 10:07

Britain’s most famous dinosaur is heading to Tyneside – with a bone shaking offer for businesses.

The Natural History Museum's famous Diplodocus cast, Dippy, is coming to the Great North Museum: Hancock in May 2019 as part of a nationwide tour.

And Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, the museum’s catering and events partner, is giving corporate clients the chance to see it at very close quarters.

Dippy first went on show to the British public in 1905 having been shipped in 36 crates from the US, where he was cast from a genuine specimen found in America.

The model skeleton is a massive 21.3 metres long, 4.3 metres wide and 4.25 metres high and Sodexo has announced it will be offering a variety of packages for those who want to drink and dine in its vast shadow.

The corporate packages will give businesses the chance to host colleagues or clients to drinks receptions or formal seated dinners next to the model, which will be on display at the Museum’s Special Exhibition Space from 18 May to 6 October 2019.

Israh Bhatti, sales and events co-ordinator at Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, said: “I imagine that when most people think of dinosaurs it is Dippy who springs to mind; he is such an iconic feature of the Natural History Museum and we are incredibly lucky he is coming to Tyneside.

“We anticipate huge interest in this exhibition and our corporate packages will offer businesses the chance to give their colleagues, guests or clients an experience they will never forget.                                                                                                                            

“The space will hold up to 150 for drinks and canapés and 100 for a formal dinner and, although we are still finalising details and timings of the corporate packages, I would urge businesses who are interested to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Newcastle is the fifth venue in Dippy’s eight leg tour and, after he leaves the Great North Museum: Hancock he will head to Cardiff and Rochdale, ending his journey at Norwich in July 2020.

Other key exhibits at Great North Museum: Hancock include an interactive model of Hadrian's Wall, a significant display of plants and animals, objects from Ancient Greece, mummies from Ancient Egypt and a planetarium.

For further information call 0844 856 1074 or e-mail events@twmuseums.co.uk.

Pages

News archive