Hotel Scotland 047

JORDAN CHARLES

AW A RDS

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13 FINDING THE SWEET SPOT

WELCOME

Last month I caught up with Jordan Charles, the Managing Director of Meldrum House Hotel. What a fabulous hotel it is. I have been there a few times and everytime it has not failed to impress.

It’s certainly been a busy few months on the news front - from Apex branching out and buying a hotel in Pitlochry to the new Virgin Hotel opening in Glasgow and much more.

We have an industry article on why the demise of cookies could be a real benefit to hoteliers and of course we have our regular column from procurement expert Alastair Roy.

I missed the Poet’s Lunch but looking at the pictures everyone seemed to have a ball.

However, our own awards were also on that week. Our sister publication DRAM hosted the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards and our hotel bar of the year was Great Scots’ Bar at Cameron House. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners.

Until next month.

Susan Young Editor

30

HIT POET’S LUNCH

18 INTERVIEW: JORDAN CHARLES

22 DESIGN: BRIG O’ DOON HOTEL

28 APPOINTMENTS

Editor: Susan Young

Editorial: Nicola Young, Alastair Roy

susan@mediaworldltd.com

@hotel_scotland hotelmagazinescotland.co.uk

do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers.

JORDAN CHARLES

22 18

ANGELA

VICKERS

PLANS LODGED FOR HOTEL AT MIDLOTHIAN SNOWSPORT CENTRE

Landscape Hotels LTD has submitted plans for a £30 million eco-friendly hotel development near the Midlothian Snowsport Centre, home to Britain’s longest artificial ski slope. The proposal focuses on sustainability and seeks to blend seamlessly with the natural environment of the Pentland Hills.

According to the plans, the proposed hotel would house 102 rooms in its central structure and an additional 38 eco-suites spread around the main building.

The eco-hotel, set within a 5.12-hectare site in the Pentland Hills, is expected to transform the Calderstones estate. The plans include an outdoor pool and a spa garden.

This development proposal comes a decade after the centre was nearly closed due to annual operating losses of £500,000. A successful Facebook group campaign mobilised almost 30,000 members, persuading the city council to keep the centre open.

Landscape Hotels Scotland has committed to eco-friendly practices, including a significant focus on minimising environmental impact including tree planting initiatives following local opposition to a previous application to develop the site which was withdrawn because of concerns over the potential impact on the Pentland Hills.

CGleneagles Hotel, has been named the winner of the Art of Hospitality Award ahead of the inaugural edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards in September.

The World’s 50 Best Hotels is an annual snapshot of the opinions and experiences of 580 industry experts across the globe. They were asked to name the property where they have received the single-best hospitality experience within the voting period which was two years.

The award celebrates a hotel’s outstanding service and attention to detail, rewarding staff for the professional standards they uphold and the way they interact with guests. The expert voters also consider the ambience created, the delivery of unique elements and the overall warmth of the hospitality and environment.

Conor O’Leary, Managing Director of Gleneagles, said, “It’s an incredible honour to be the first recipient of the Art of Hospitality Award in The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards.

It’s all down to the incredible people that make up the team at Gleneagles. Without them this wouldn’t be possible, and this award is a celebration of their hard work and commitment to making each guest’s stay a unique and memorable experience.”

Following a four-year renovation, Gleneagles boasts 11 restaurants and bars, including Scotland’s only two Michelin Star restaurant, children’s adventure spaces; beauty, spa and wellness facilities, and 232 bedrooms and suites. Guest programmes also offer falconry, clay pigeon shooting, fly fishing, horse riding and three world-renowned golf courses.

APEX BOOKS INTO PINE TREES IN PITLOCHRY

Apex Hotels have announced the acquisition of Pine Trees Hotel in Pitlochry – their first rural destination hotel as they look to diversify their portfolio.

It’s a key addition for the family-owned hotel group and represents the first step in an ambitious expansion plan targeting popular UK destinations.

Pine Trees is a 4-star 32-bedroom classic Scottish country house hotel including a 6-bedroom coach house set within 10 acres of secluded gardens in the historic Perthshire town. Apex say the strategic purchase plays an essential part in the growth of the business and is the first step towards the execution of future diversification plans.

Chief Executive Officer Angela Vickers said, “The acquisition of Pine Trees Hotel illustrates our commitment to delivering sustainable growth in the UK market and we look forward to welcoming our new team members into the Apex family. This move was the perfect fit in seeking to diversify the Apex Hotels brand in more rural locations to provide our guests with greater choice alongside existing city centre locations.

“Our vision for the group puts our guests and their guest experience at the heart of our thinking. The recent sale of Apex London Wall Hotel will help fund future growth plans, enabling our expansion whilst continuing to invest in our existing portfolio and the development of our people.

Barclays financed the purchase as part of a wider package to support Apex Hotels’ growth and investment in its current portfolio, including future acquisition opportunities in the rural hotel market. Said Vickers ,“Barclays refinancing package as well as their hospitality industry expertise will help to accelerate our ambitious growth plans, not only to support continued investment in our existing city centre hotels, but to help us build a more diverse portfolio across rural and urban locations throughout the UK.

“Demand for high-quality hotels in the UK has never been stronger. The acquisition of Pine Trees Hotel kickstarts our growth strategy and the brand is perfectly positioned to capitalise on the tourism resurge by putting guests at the heart of everything we do.”

The deal was brokered by Brian Sheldon at Christie & Co.

NEW BOUTIQUE GUEST HOUSE “ROSLYN HOUSE” SET FOR TOBERMORY

ADAMSON HOTEL UNVEILS

NEW RESTAURANT

The Adamson Hotel in Dunfermline opened its new restaurant following a refurbishment that began last year.

The ‘Distinctly Scottish’ interior at the new Adamson Hotel restaurant pairs with Head chef David Allan’s emphasis on Scottish produce.

A brand-new boutique guest house on the Isle of Mull, Roslyn House, is all set to welcome its first guests this September.

The former Highland Cottage B&B adds to the portfolio of The Rocks Leisure Group, which also operates bar and restaurant Macgochans on the Island as well as The Lochside in Bowmore on the Isle of Islay, the Ben Nevis in Fort William, and The Benleva in Drumnadrochit.

The newly refurbished property features eight individually-designed guest rooms and suites and uses the latest self-check-in technology as well as providing breakfast hampers featuring local producers from

seafood, cured meat, and local jams.

Neil Morrison, MD of The Rocks Leisure Group, said Roslyn House is the “perfect addition to the group”.

“I’ve wanted to add an accommodation business in Tobermory for a wee while so when the opportunity to acquire this property came up it was a no-brainer,” he said.

“We’ve done a complete refurbishment to create eight luxurious rooms and suites and a beautiful guest lounge. And we’ve blended elements of tradition with new technology and systems to enhance the experience for guests.

“We can’t wait to open the doors!”

Gael Wilkinson, The Adamson Hotel’s marketing manager, said, “It’s been a labour of love to work on the oldest part of the building, some of it dating back centuries, but we got there.” She continued, “We really do everything Scotland, from our in-house venison haggis right through to award-winning honey from hives less than a few hundred meters away. Even the interior looks distinctly Scottish.

“We want to show that you don’t need to cross the (Forth) bridge for this type of experience. From open booths by the fire to cosy corners, it’s a worthy venue for any city.”

VIRGIN HOTELS GLASGOW

Virgin Hotels has opened its 255room Virgin Hotels Glasgow, only its second European property.

The hotel’s design pays tribute to Glasgow’s rich cultural history and Teddy Mayer, the Vice President Creative Director of Virgin Hotels, worked with Silk Property Group to incorporate elements reminiscent of Glasgow’s shipbuilding industry and the Hotel partnered with Visto Art to showcase artwork by local illustrators, painters, and photographers to reflect the vibrant spirit of the city.

Virgin Hotels Collection CEO James Bermingham, said at the opening, “Today marks a momentous occasion as we proudly unveil our Glasgow location, a remarkable addition to our growing family of hotels. At Virgin Hotels, we are driven by our passion for delivering innovative design and heartfelt service, and our latest opening is no exception. Every detail has been curated to reflect the dynamic and diverse essence of Glasgow, and we hope the property will not only be a home away from home, but a door to the incredible experiences within this exciting city.”

Tom Gibson, General Manager of Virgin Hotels Glasgow, said, “We are thrilled to bring the Virgin Hotels experience to Glasgow, a city known for its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality. Virgin Hotels Glasgow will redefine the concept of luxury accommodation, offering guests an unmatched level of service, exceptional culinary experiences, and a stunning setting overlooking the Clyde. We look forward to providing a memorable stay for our guests and becoming an integral part of Glasgow’s vibrant hospitality scene.”

Along with the opening of its rooms its also opened its flagship restaurant and bar, Commons Club, which is being run by Executive Chef Jean-Paul Giraud, previously Head Chef at The Spanish Butcher.

The hotel also has an all-day dining and entertainment destination, Highyard, with views of the river Clyde thanks to its elevated terrace which includes a retractable roof and living walls.

Next year will also see the opening of two further dining and drinking spaces; Funny Library Coffee Shop and Rocks on Fox Street – a whisky bar that the Hotel says will have one of the finest whisky collections in Glasgow.

HOTELIERS TAKE OVER CALLANDER HOTEL

The Abbotsford Lodge Hotel in Callander has new owners in the shape of Craig Gillespie and Kayleigh Keith, who also operate the Tower Hotel in Crieff and the Crown in Callander. They bought the 14-bedroom property in Callander, for an amount above the £595,000 asking price in a deal brokered by CDLH,.

The property, which includes a large owner’s house, staff accommodation, and a selfcatering unit, was sold by the joint administrators of Mountview Hotels Limited, Michelle Elliot and Stewart Robb of FRP Advisory.

Alan Creevy, director of CDLH, said, “The company operating the Abbotsford Lodge Hotel in Callander, was placed into Administration in early 2023. CDLH were instructed by the administrators to place the property on the open market in February 2023.”

Mr Creevy added, “The Scottish rural hotel market has had a phenomenal year in terms of the large number of sale transactions and, indeed, strong hotel operating performance.

“We continue to see significant levels of interest in both rural and city hospitality properties with the strongest interest in hotels from overseas buyers in particular.”

EDINBURGH W HOTEL EXPECTED TO OPEN IN NOVEMBER

The Marriott has announced that its upcoming W Edinburgh hotel is expected to open in November.

Situated on St James Quarter, the 12-story hotel, which was originally due to be completed in 2021, offers, say Marriott, a blend of luxury and culinary innovation.

The luxury hotel will boast of a rooftop setup and an outdoor terrace, and will host the signature restaurant Sushi Samba, offering a blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culture and cuisine, and a cocktail bar, Joao’s Place.

The hotel will also offer a spa, and meeting rooms and will operate a 24-hour business centre, branded as “Wired”.

According to Marriott, the W Edinburgh goes beyond simply providing a central location in Scotland’s historic and culturally rich capital. The brand emphasises that the hotel aims to “immerse you in the spirit of the festival capital of the world”.

The hotel is housed in the much-debated “ribbon hotel,” which has been subject to a range of opinions since its planning stages. The updated website for the venue promises an “experience unlike anything the city has seen before.”

GLASGOW MAKES ITS DEBUT

PROJECT SEARCH LAUNCHED BY CAIRN HOTEL GROUP

Scottish Hotels see a surge in investment

The Scottish hotel market has seen a surge in investment volumes in 2023, experiencing a threefold increase compared to the previous year, according to Savills most recent report.

The volume of transactions reached an impressive £165m in the first half of the year, a significant leap from last year’s £54m.

The report highlighted a growing interest in Scotland’s independent boutique hotels with transactions hitting £71m in the first half of 2023, comprising 43% of all deals made during the year to date. This is in stark contrast to last year when transaction volumes for all hotels only reached £54m in the same timeframe.

A key factor contributing to this growth was the sale of seven premier boutique hotels in Ballater, Glencoe, Inverurie, Oban, the Isle of Mull, Inveraray, and Nairn. These were sold for £45m by funds overseen by Blantyre Capital and its operational partner Fairtree Hotel Investments.

Another major contribution to the surge in investment volumes was the sale of Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh, also known as The Caledonian. This sale accounted for over half (51%) of the

total figure. Savills highlighted this growth amidst a 60% year-on-year slump in the wider UK hotel sector, demonstrating the resilience of the Scottish market.

Steven Fyfe, the director of hotel capital markets at Savills Scotland, explained the attractiveness of boutique hotels for both consumers and investors. “Boutique hotels offer the experience and impartiality we have all craved, especially since the pandemic’s onset in 2020. This increasingly popular sub-market provides plenty of differentiation,” Fyfe said.

Fyfe also noted the promising trend for the industry as RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) growth outpaced inflation, contrary to general assumptions that they correlate closely. He said that “it’s interesting to note that RevPAR growth is outpacing inflation, despite the assumption the two are closely correlated. The ongoing trend for staycations has seen Scotland become an increasingly popular holiday destination, therefore we expect figures to remain largely positive in the second half of the year.”

However, he also tempered expectations of a continued increase in transaction volumes due to ongoing economic uncertainties.

Cairn Hotel Group, has announced that it has launched the Project SEARCH programme at its Stirling Highland Hotel. This nine month internship programme is specifically designed to educate and empower young individuals with learning difficulties in employability, social, and life skills. Throughout the programme, interns will have the opportunity to work in various departments within the Stirling Highland hotel. By engaging in meaningful tasks and responsibilities, it means that they have the opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills, and experience in a professional setting.

The initiative, with partners including Forth Valley College and Stirling Council, aims to provide the interns with a comprehensive foundation for future employment opportunities.

Claire Johnston, Regional HR Manager at Cairn Hotel Group, said, “We are thrilled to embark on this ground-breaking partnership with Project SEARCH, Forth Valley College, and Stirling Council.

“The Project SEARCH programme at the Stirling Highland Hotel represents our commitment to empowering individuals with learning disabilities, equipping them with the necessary tools to secure employment in the long run. We firmly believe in creating a diverse and inclusive workforce, and this programme aligns perfectly with our values.”

MAR HALL ENTERS ADMINISTRATION

Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort in Bishopton has fallen into administration however the resort will continue to trade on a business-as-usual basis pending a sale.

The resort, which boasts 52 bedrooms, a spa and an 18-hole golf course, first opened as a luxury hotel in 2004, following a £15 million investment. It currently employs a team of 118 staff.

In a statement, the administrators said that Andrew Dolliver, Kris Aspin and Joseph Luke Charleton, of EY-Parthenon’s Turnaround and Restructuring Strategy team were appointed as Joint Administrators on 22 August, and that hotel operators Michels & Taylor have been instructed to support the Joint Administrators in managing the Resort pending a sale.

It is expected that there will be significant interest in the business.

NEW OWNER FOR GLENSKIRLIE CASTLE

Skirlie Castle Ltd – owner and operator of award-winning Glenskirlie Castle in Banknock has been acquired by Glasgow-based Khunga Investments.

The deal, which is for an undisclosed sum, includes the acquisition of all assets including the Castle, restaurant, facilities and grounds. All 32 staff will transfer over, and it will remain ‘business as usual’ for all existing wedding and events bookings.

Designed in the style of a 16th century Scottish castle, it was the first new castle built in Scotland in the 21st century and was run by the the Macaloney family for 30 years, however the family called in the administrators FRP Advisory in September 2023 after the business had been on the market for a few months. The decision was taken due to cashflow and financial issues arising from the pandemic.

The Castle, which has 15 luxury bedrooms, a function suite with capacity for 126 guests and extensive gardens is one of Scotland’s leading wedding and events venues.

Carnation set to blossom in Scotland

Red Carnation Hotels’ is set to open its first hotel in Scotland on November 1st. The new hotel is on the site of the old Royal Over-Seas League on Princes Street, which closed in 2018, and will be named after the street it sits on, 100 Princes Street.

The 30-room luxury hotel joins Red Carnation’s other 19 worldwide properties including Ireland’s Ashford Castle, and it will have a residents-only Explorers’ Club which will offer guests a ‘quintessentially Scottish experience’ and signature local dishes.

The hotel, designed by Toni Tollman, Philippe Bonino, and Brian Brennan, features furnishings and artwork from local artists - including custom-made tartan by Araminta Campbell, and a central staircase with a hand-painted mural by Croxford and Saunders.

Jonathan Raggett, managing director of Red Carnation Hotels, has said, “It has been a dream of ours to open a hotel in Edinburgh for some time, and with the best address in the city, it was well worth the wait.”

Glasgow-based Khungha Investments, which was founded in 2017, also owns and operates Castlecary Hotel in Cumbernauld.

Ranjit Singh, managing director of Khunga Investments said:, “Glenskirlie Castle has an outstanding reputation for weddings and events and for the quality of the dining and hospitality experience. We are delighted to have acquired the assets and business of Skirlie Castle Limited and very much look forward to ‘business as usual’. We are also delighted to welcome the staff to our team and look forward to developing the business.”

Michelle Elliot, partner with FRP Advisory, who facilitated the deal said, “We are delighted to have secured a sale of Skirlie Castle Limited and its assets and wish the new owners every success with their new venture. We are also particularly pleased to have secured the transfer of all 32 staff and would like to thank all involved with the business for their support.”

Nevis Range sees 55% profit surge

Nevis Range, the highlands mountain resort, has experienced a significant surge in profits by 55% thanks to a £1 million investment package from HSBC UK.

The boost in earnings can be attributed to the construction of the new Basecamp Hotel and several retail outlets, including a restaurant, bar, and a bike hire shop.

The Basecamp Hotel, which opened its doors in April 2023, has already achieved an occupancy rate of 98% and the growing popularity of the resort’s hospitality and retail amenities is expected to drive its annual turnover up by £2 million, reaching a total of £5.6 million for the current financial year.

The expansion of the resort has not only strengthened its financial position but has also led to a significant increase in employment opportunities. Nevis Range has expanded its core team by 33%, now employing 100 dedicated staff members.

Chris O’Brien, managing director of Nevis Range, said: “Being in such a rural area, the nearby town simply wasn’t built to cater for the amount of footfall that Nevis Range has been bringing to Fort William – and demand for our attractions has only been increasing.

“So we’re really excited to be able to offer visitors a place to stay and relax on their sporting adventures.”

MIKE ROSS

DUNKELD HOUSE TRANSFORMS FLAGSHIP SUITES

Dunkeld House Hotel has transformed its flagship suites

The Atholl and The Duchesss, in an £800k renovation that includes three new rooms, bringing the total number of rooms in the Perthshire country house hotel to 100.

The hotel, originally built as a country retreat for the 7th Duke of Atholl boasting striking architecture and historic interiors, worked with Edinburgh-based interior designer Burns Design to refresh and modernise the property’s, without losing Dunkeld’s relaxed, forest-manor feel.

This initial project completes the first phase of a wider investment plan for Dunkeld House Hotel, who are now under the same ownership as Crerar Hotels Group who were acquired by Blantyre Capital and Fairtree Investments as a joint venture in March 2023. The collection of hotels also include Fonab Castle in Pitlochry and Daffodil

Hotel & Spa in Grasmere.

Future projects include the addition of eight high-end woodland lodges in the Woodland Dell, expansion to the leisure and spa facilities, expansion of the current restaurant, and the addition of a new F&B offering.

Shane Naylor, General Manager, explains, “The key concept behind the refurbishment was to create a modern look yet at the same time retain the tradition here and maintain the beautiful original features of the building itself.”

Chris Wayne-Wills, CEO, said, “We are delighted by the suite development project at Dunkeld. The newly refurbished “New Wing” rooms cements our efforts in bringing the hotels’ total room capacity to a high-quality standard, whilst the high-end conversion of the hotel’s “Old Wing” offers hotel guests a new, and completely differentiated, sophisticated luxurious accommodation experience at Dunkeld.”

EVC PARTNER WITH SCOTTISH TOURISM ALLIANCE

EVC – an EV charging solutions company dedicated to making the EV switch simple – has become a Platinum Patron Sponsor of the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA). This new relationship will be crucial in empowering Scotland’s tourism and hospitality industry to grow sustainably by adding to the EV charge point network.

Growth in the EV industry is rapidly accelerating, and now is the time for hotels to prepare for the EV revolution. With 90% of EV drivers seeking out locations that provide EV charging, this is a key way for hotels to accommodate for guests and outshine

competition. By 2030, the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned, meaning the number of EV drivers on the roads is only going up – the future is electric!

Offering a fully-funded financial solution, EVC are able to carry out the entire EV charging installation process at zero-cost to hotels, providing bespoke solutions for each different location. From the initial consultation to the ongoing maintenance and management of the chargers after installation, EVC’s expert teams are there to make the switch as seamless as possible.

SPEAKERS

simplypos

SimplyPOS for Hospitality – Simple, Modern EPOS

Modern Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) is not just about executing payment, managing inventory and keeping records. It’s about business management and providing a point of customer service. SimplyPOS by Simplypay is an innovative, cost-effective and modern EPOS solution combined with enterprise class support. Designed for simplicity, the Plus edition of SimplyPOS provides enhanced functionality to the hospitality market. SimplyPOS provides operational efficiency to maximise “covers”, make reservations and reduce no shows. It allows small to medium-sized hospitality businesses to harness enterprise efficiencies at an affordable price point.

Move from a Point of Sale to a Point of Service

By Alastair Roy

FINDING THAT SWEET SPOT

Awell balanced Supplier Strategy should be based on the Procurement mindset –Finding That Sweet Spot.

The five main parts in hospitality procurement are determining what product or service you need to meet your business’s objective, defining the place to ensure goods and services are delivered to the right location, calculating the quantity required and then getting the product or service there on time and crucially at the optimal price. These five can be distilled into need, time and price and finding the sweet spot between all these aspects gives the edge on best in class procurement to deliver for your business.

With so much supply chain complexity presenting to hotels, bars and restaurants on a constant basis, assimilating and understanding the positive and negative impact on the business requires people who understand the context and can quickly drill into the detail to make recommendations to the owners and/ or board of directors on which way to proceed.

Blending bright individuals with different experiences, backgrounds, ages and education levels, with a focus on professionalism, will make a huge difference to your procurement outcomes and build a deep knowledge base which will benefit the Company long term. This approach can be applied to ongoing P&L related purchases and Capex focused new build or refurbishment projects.

For more information on The Procurement Mindset contact alastair@aroprocurement.com www.aroprocurement.com

Enthusiasm for the matters at hand combined with expertise and the ability to communicate in a direct style when dealing with suppliers and contractors, as well as internal stakeholders, modified according

to the audience, are important attributes. Being able to deploy a nuanced approach in negotiations is also useful - if the only tool you have is a hammer then there is a tendency to treat every problem as a nail and this may not always secure the best result. On other occasions it is, of course, absolutely the right way to handle things.

Collaboration is an oft-overused term but it is so critical to the right Procurement Mindset – procurement is not an end in itself, its purpose is always to help the business deliver on its objectives and this involves working with multiple internal and external stakeholders, simultaneously, to achieve goals. Being able to take calculated, not reckless, risks is also part of the mindset in addition to having the ability to accept and own failures if/when they arise and find solutions to remedy problems and avoid them reoccurring.

Business environments have likely always seemed fast moving for those involved but so many current factors are amplified at an ever increasing rate and it is not always a clear what is being asked or expected – this is particularly the case when addressing ESG factors in procurement. The variables are not binary and the requirement and ability to navigate shades of grey and produce results is supreme.

Having an entrepreneurial spirit is a key tool in the Procurement Mindset, traditional, transactional thinking is not going to cut it. An eye for innovation, leaning in towards adaptability plus naturally embracing and enjoying change are vital components to the hard skills of a Procurement Specialist and when effectively integrated to your business, they will make a significant contribution to finding that sweet spot!

IS THE SUNSET OF COOKIES A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HOTEL INDUSTRY?

The hotel industry is set for a significant shift in how it collects customer data, presenting a huge opportunity for those who adopt the right strategy.

From next year, hotel companies will no longer be able to rely on third-party cookies to target customers and will need to gather their own first-party data, with Google set to abolish third party cookies in 2024. This means targeted advertising on other websites will no longer work in the same way as before.

First-party data is data that companies collect directly from their customers, such as their purchase history, website behaviour, and preferences.

While the decision to remove third-party cookies may seem restrictive and limit the ability of hotel businesses to target customers, it offers a significant opportunity for brands to reach and engage customers more effectively.

By leveraging first-party data, companies can gain insights into what their customers are interested in, their preferred destinations and what types of experiences they prefer. The leisure and hospitality industry already has access to a wide variety of data, such as purchase patterns, reason for travel, sales affinity, food and beverage preferences, and which channel customers prefer to use when making bookings. Most of this data can then be modelled and applied to give guests more personalised offers and allow hotel brands to create more effective marketing campaigns that are more likely to resonate with their customers.

Given the post-pandemic rebound in many markets, which has spurred competition for travel audiences’ attention to an all-time peak, personalisation is a critical differentiator today. This is particularly the case in the awareness and conversion phase of the marketing funnel.

The move by Google to abolish third-party cookies is a game-changer for hotels, the vast array of opportunities opened up by customer data, and how brands can tap into customer behaviours to better understand their needs.

Cookies are getting phased out… what’s next?

Many companies are unaware how valuable their first-party information is.

Such data may include not only insights such as names and email addresses, but also a wealth of knowledge such as preferences, budget range, birthdays and anniversaries of the family household.

This allows hotel brands to engage customers in new and exciting ways they may not have previously explored, offering them the most personalised experiences possible.

To make the most of this information that customers have willingly shared, brands should collect and verify their data before finding ways to enrich, scale and protect it. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of this data, brands can leverage data cleansing processes offered by external providers, allowing them to conveniently verify and refine their data and enabling them to enhance, expand and safeguard their datasets

effectively. This will help them build holistic customer profiles that are meaningful to them as a brand.

Customer data opens up huge possibilities for hotel companies

With first-party customer data, brands can create more relevant and personalised marketing campaigns. By analysing customer behaviours, preferences and purchase history, companies can tailor their messaging to individual customers, making their campaigns significantly more effective and impactful.

Companies can also utilise this to open new revenue streams by using their customer data to cross-sell related and relevant products and services.

In addition, first-party data allows businesses to create more relevant loyalty programmes. Whether this is through offering rewards and incentives to customers based on their previous booking history or preferences or encouraging them to book more trips and become repeat customers.

There are other benefits to first-party data which can help brands boost their bottom line, such as driving cost efficiencies. For example, first-party data allows hotels and other accommodation providers to analyse customer preferences and make data-driven decisions about pricing, inventory management and other operational aspects of the business.

How brands can tap into customer behaviours

Customer behaviour, particularly when it comes to travel and tourism, has changed significantly since the pandemic, and first-party data gives brands important insights into what guests want now. Using this data, brands can tap into a customer’s behaviour and create typologies to offer more personalised experiences.

Here, a customer’s campaign response, curiosity for product innovations, spontaneity, family orientation, and spending behaviour are all combined into typologies and identified.

This differentiation forms richer profiles than known personas and allows hotels to provide customers with hyper-personalisation in terms of offers and experiences, suited to what they want now.

By leveraging these customer profiles and first-party data, brands can increase engagement, drive conversions, and ultimately grow their business.

Finally, it is important for hotel companies to ensure that this firstparty data, following the move by Google, is compliant against further browser policy and regulatory amendments. The investment in a first party data strategy will allow brands to future-proof themselves. This is very likely to be a key competitive edge, given the anticipated extensive boom of the travel and tourism economy in the years to come.

Lars Formanek, Senior Strategy Consultant, EMEA, Acxiom

Jordan Charles is a man that is going places. At 32, he is already Managing Director of Meldrum House Hotel in Aberdeenshire, and after joining the hotel in October 2018, he has helped the business have a record few years.

This is primarily due to the vision of the owners of Meldrum House, who decided to go with a proposal to put in an outside dining dome when hospitality was allowed to re-open. It was so successful, and generated so much publicity, that the hotel invested around £200,000 and added four more larger dining domes and the 10m2 Titan Sky Bar.

Says Jordan, “We were one of the businesses that exited the pandemic stronger than we went in. The capital we invested in the domes was recouped within a year, and that was just from the rental fees.” He explains, “As the pandemic came to an end there were real fears that there was going to be a lot of ‘no shows’. We decided to re-open with a room hire scenario which we hoped would prevent people cancelling at the last minute, if perhaps the weather was inclement.

”The fee certainly wasn’t a deterrent to bookings. The domes are mainly booked out and it is difficult to get a weekend between now and the end of the year. “

Jordan, who hails from Cumbernauld, did a law degree at Stirling University, completing his diploma at Strathclyde, before entering the world of hospitality… actually, that’s not quite true. He completed his degree while working full-time in hospitality!

Says Jordan, “I worked at Westerwood Hotel, part of QHotels and a wellmanaged hotel, when I was at High School. When I went to Stirling University, I continued to work there to earn cash to help me through Uni. During my last year at Stirling, I managed to work full-time and during my diploma year at Strathclyde, I took on the role of Banqueting Manager. It worked quite well because I went to Uni full-time Monday to Thursday and then worked the weekends.”

When I graduated, the GM at the time, Paul Bray, presented me with a unique opportunity to progress more in the hospitality industry in the role of Conference Manager where things were booming and busy. After all the years at law school and my spare time in hospitality, it made me weigh things up and I realised my passion lay with hotels, and I’d make a much better hotelier than a lawyer.

By 2016, I’d really enjoyed the role and the hotel was riding high on its success when Joanne Barratt the Operations Manager for the QHotel group, who is now MD of The Venues Collection, created a role of Food & Beverage Manager at the Cambridge Belfry and persuaded me to take it. The hotel needed structure, focus and stability and I really enjoyed the challenge. That then led to my first deputy role at the Telford Hotel and Golf Resort just 12 months later and that’s when my fiancé Claire moved down too. It was a 114 bedroomed hotel, with a large leisure facility and golf course in the heart of

A LEGAL-EYED

Shropshire. It was a busy venue and a great learning experience for me. The GM there, Stephen Essex, was old-school and taught me a lot, but also left me to get stuck in and learn on the job.”

Following a record-breaking 2017 for the hotel, his fiancé Claire was missing elements of home and the couple were keen to return to Scotland and in the Autumn of 2018, he went for his first interview at Meldrum House. He explains, “I was looking for a new role and the recruiter mentioned Meldrum House in Aberdeenshire. I wasn’t familiar with the hotel but Andy Burgess, the CEO at the time, and the directors had fantastic vision which was a really exciting proposition. They wanted it to be a miniGleneagles with regards to the quality of the venue. I could see the opportunity and potential and was delighted to accept the role of GM when I was offered it.”

Jordan quickly settled into his role working closely with Andy Burgess. Says Jordan, “Andy really helped me settle in and get my feet under the table. I really valued his mentorship and I worked with him for a couple of years until there was a change in direction and he moved on. That allowed me to progress into the more of the nitty gritty of the business and I was appointed Managing Director.” Jordan’s objective was to ensure the next round of investment went smoothly.

But, before that came to pass, there was, of course, the pandemic. Jordan smiles, “That was an incredible challenge for the

JORDAN CHARLES is the dynamic Managing Director at Meldrum House Hotel.

SUSAN YOUNG caught up with him to find out more.

MANAGING DIRECTOR

whole of the hospitality industry and I think no-one ever realised what the impact would be but it was a true learning curve in all aspects.” Jordan moved into the hotel with Claire which created its own tests. “Looking back, that was a bit surreal. Living in the 800-year-old manor house, some people would see that as an incredible opportunity. But for insurance purposes I had to stay in the hotel and try and manage the 240-acre estate whilst it was shut to guests, it was exhausting.”

However, behind the scenes, the hotel was gearing up for a major relaunch and re-opened for business on 15th July 2020. Jordan explains, “We were probably the most premium hotel in the north-east that opened for business and we were more than ready - it was a time of opportunities. We could have just opened our doors and said we are open for business, or we could roll up our sleeves and shout about it – and that’s when we launched the luxury dining domes.

The three directors of Meldrum House have pride and passion in everything they do and whilst they are not hoteliers, they are successful business people, and are always keen to drive the business forward. “When the idea of the domes was pitched to us by a friend of Bob Edwards, one of the directors, it was exciting. There wasn’t a manual to say what you could or couldn’t do. We didn’t anticipate the ROI (return on investment) - which was incredible! The domes have been the most successful project the

business has ever done.”

“We initially ordered one 3.6m dome with a tent like door that rolled up and a jigsaw deck. We put in foundations for it and a stepped stone path. It could take six guests. It was so popular we quickly realised we were on to something. It’s funny because who would have thought a hotel in the Shire would become THE dining place to be seen. It changed our demographic of guest and became hugely popular in a very short space of time. By the second lockdown we had four domes, including the 5m size, these domes sat 12. We did two dining slots, and the weekends were sold out. We had to invest in a new telephone system because the one we had simply couldn’t cope with the level of calls we were receiving. Through marketing, PR and our social channels, it got everyone talking and guests were desperate to experience the domes. The demand blew our minds and kept us enthused. The deposits alone covered the cost of the capital outlay. However, we also learnt a lot and continued to invest in them to maintain as high a standard as we could. Our original paths wore away due to use and have now been replaced with a double slab path and we’ve had to experiment with heating systems before we got the right one as well as investing in interior bespoke furniture and soft furnishings - we used local suppliers when possible.”

“Now we have two dining slots with a new capacity outside for 72 covers, on top of the two restaurants within the hotel.

TITAN SKY BAR AT ME;LDRUM HOUSE

However, once we put in the extra domes, we realised that the twohour slots meant that when our restaurants were full inside, we had nowhere to put people pre-dinner and after dinner. We were struggling for capacity. So, we decided to invest a further £100K in a 10sq metre dome, which became the Titan Sky Bar. We have our own bar team in there, specially to look after our guests. Between Friday and Sunday, we operate it as a bar from noon till 10pm for drinks including cocktails. People just love the whole experience.”

“There is no doubt about it, our dome experience has totally revamped our business. The Times Editor came for a weekend and dined in the domes with his family – his review in the paper was transformative. It also gave us a second opportunity, when they included us in their ‘Top 100 UK Hotels’, and when that happened, the publicity was like gold dust. The marketing of the domes also gave us the most incredible award – a Catey – for ‘Best Marketing Campaign’. Just going down to Grosvenor House in London in their amazing ballroom was a pinch me moment. But to pick up the award with my Sales Manager and PR Manager in front of such industry greats, will stay in my memory for a long time to come.”

The domes have also made a huge difference to the gift voucher sales at Meldrum House. Jordan adds; “We sold around £22K when I joined the business in 2018 and that was climbing year-on-year. But the domes just created an explosion of sales and last year we sold £240k of gift vouchers with SK Chase. That alone has been epic.”

Many guests and celebrities have experienced the domes, but one such high profile client was then Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who stayed at the hotel on a visit to the area in August 2021, with various members of his cabinet. Jordan says, “That stayed top secret as we weren’t told exactly who was coming until the last minute – but a real feather in our cap that he chose to stay with us.”

As well as its outside domes, Meldrum House also has 51 hotel bedrooms, a Gatehouse lodge (which was refurbished during Covid) with five ensuite bedrooms, The Stables, a state-of-the-art conference centre and wedding venue, and a Golf business which includes an 18-hole parkland course, a Clubhouse and driving range hailed as one of the best parkland courses in Scotland and is only available to members or residents. Says Jordan, “Our golf course celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and we were very excited to welcome the Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship earlier in the season. That was a huge credit to the Greenkeeping team as it shows how far the course has come.”

The hotel is a well-known wedding venue in Aberdeenshire, in fact Jordan married his wife Claire there. He smiles, “We fell in love with Crossbasket Castle near Glasgow but due to the pandemic, the dates continually moved. After 4 attempts to rebook, it became evident that we weren’t going to get the wedding we had planned, at a venue so close to where we both grew up. Eventually I thought, this is crazy, why not have it at Meldrum. So that’s what we did. I got married here on 6 June 2020 and we had the most special day. I saw first-hand why it is such a popular venue.”

When he was appointed Managing Director, I asked him how his role had changed. He says, “As an independent business, we don’t have a Head Office so everything we do is done directly. I have the autonomy to work on the strategy, how we trade and all aspects of the business, as well as dealing with the bank, accountants and the future investment of this iconic estate.”

Jordan also sits on the board of Visit Aberdeenshire; he was formerly vice-chair of Aberdeenshire Hotel Association and is Chair of HIT Scotland for the Grampian HIT Dinner. He says, “I love HIT Scotland. I’m a huge advocate of what they do. I like it because you see can see the benefits it brings your team. Last year I was thrilled that 9 of our team members benefitted from scholarships and that continues to grow year on year.”

One of the highlights of Jordan’s personal career was picking up an Acorn Award. Says he, “I’ve always had a desire to be successful. When I got the job at Meldrum House, the turnover was £3.5m in sales and the golf club turned over £800K. In the last year, we turned over £5.2m in sales and golf turnover grew to £1.2m. I would like to see the business continue to flourish.

“Fortunately, I love what I do. I love networking with new people, converting business, developing teams, and seeing the business grow. I love seeing any offering being enjoyed by people. It gives you a sense of pride when you know you have played your part.

“Hotels are about people and our biggest asset is the team. I am very proud of the team we have here and we could not have achieved the record sales without them.”

As to the next chapter in the journey. “Well obviously it would be great to have a luxury Spa here…”

Watch this space!

G McWilliam Aberdeen is a catering butcher supplying quality meats for schools, hospitals, care homes, restaurants and hotels, including Meldrum House Hotel. We deliver mainly throughout the north east of Scotland but we deliver as far as Edinburgh to Elgin too.

McWilliam Butcher is currently expanding their range of products to include Frozen to Dry Goods to meet all your catering requirements at one stop.

MCWILLIAM BUTCHER SHOP & DELI

McWilliams Butcher Shop & Deli is located on 37 St Clement Street, Aberdeen AB11 5FU in front of its existing premises in the city. This allows us to provide the same quality produce that we provide to hotels & restaurants to the public. As well as traditional cuts we have a large selection of kebabs, stirfrys, vegetables, cheeses, condiments, pies and a selection of delicious hot food alongside a choice of drinks and snacks.

Like us on Facebook to keep up to date with special offers and be the first to know when our Christmas Order book is open.

Tel: 01224 211174

Email: info@gmcwilliam

www.gmcwilliam.co.uk

BLUE FLAG

Blueflag seafoods was established in 2016 and part of a family run local wholesale fish merchants. AGD DUFF AND PARTNERS which will be 50 years old in January 2024

Blueflag seafoods supply local retail and restaurant business around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire We have been supplying Meldrum House Hotel since 2021 with locally sourced seafood bought out of Scottish fish markets but mostly bought at Peterhead as our family drive up everyday and transport back in our own truck, so the freshest fish delivered daily too.

Shellfish, white fish smoked fish.

Grow your gift voucher sales

SK Chase has worked with Meldrum House since 2009 as their preferred partner. Since then, their gift sales have steadily increased, and this year are on track to double 2022 sales.

What are your gift voucher goals? We’d love to help you get there. Get in touch quoting ‘Hotel Scotland’. www.skchase.com enquiries@skchase.com

SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS ON LISINI

BY SUSAN YOUNG

LISINI picked up the Flor de Cana Award for Sustainability at the recent Scottish Bar and Pub Awards. The company, which owns Dalziel Park in Motherwell and Angels in Uddingston, is on a mission to embrace sustainability in all aspects of its business and now Kay Smith has taken that responsibility under her wing.

Kay Smith comments, “We are aware of the pressing need to take drastic and collective action to reduce the catastrophic impact modern day living is having upon planet earth. This is why we have been taking steps to reduce our carbon emissions for the past few years and have set a target of becoming Net Zero by 2045, in line with the Scottish Government’s objectives.

“We have had our carbon footprint analysed in conjunction with Net Zero Now and Lisini are proud to be the first hospitality company in Scotland to be certified as ‘On The Road to Net Zero’ with them. Seeing our carbon footprint has highlighted areas to target reductions in emissions, which we will be implementing in stages over the coming months and years. In the first year we have set ambitious interim targets of reducing our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% which we hope to achieve through a combination of procuring renewable electricity contracts and behavioural changes to drive down our natural gas consumption.

“Once we have driven down our carbon footprint as far as possible the remaining carbon will be offset by investing in carbon positive schemes, thus rendering us a genuinely Net Zero hospitality company.

“We hope that this will inspire other hospitality companies to follow suit. Admittedly it is not an easy, nor an inexpensive title to obtain, especially in such trying times for hospitality and many other industries. However, we must all be mindful that a collective effort is required in order to protect the planet we share.

Green Teams

“We have a team of employees at each of our venues dedicated to driving down energy usage and improving the environmental and social

responsibility of their venue. Each year at the Lisini staff Ball we have an award for the Green Team who have made the biggest improvement and reduced their energy & water usage by the highest percentage. So far we have managed to consistently reduce our electricity usage by around 20% and gas by around 15% in the past 12 months. Across the company this equates to 48.5 tonnes of CO2e saved per year.

“We are continually working towards improving our environmental and social responsibility as a company and encourage our green teams to come forward with ideas as to how we can meet these objectives. Some examples of what we have implemented from their suggestions so far include: growing our own herbs for cocktails on site, composting our garden waste and fruit & veg peelings, dehydrating fruit peels for use in cocktails rather than going to food waste, forming a connection with the local community gardening group Grow Uddingston to recycle our used coffee grinds for use in their gardens (fertilizes soil and acts as a pest deterrent), installing a drying line outside for housekeepers use rather than using the tumble dryer, incorporating sustainably made spirits into our drinks offerings, switching to plant based alternatives to dairy & egg in our cocktail ingredients & installing more options on draught to eliminate bottle waste.

Plant based and Sustainably Sourced Food

“It is becoming increasingly apparent that meat and dairy farming is one of the main contributors to global warming worldwide. As a result of this knowledge, we are offering an increasing number of plant-based protein options, to allow our customers the option of a more planet–friendly meal choice when dining with us. This can be complemented with a sustainably certified beverage from our Sustainable Drinks list.

“Our meat is as locally sourced as possible and therefore has the lowest possible environmental impact and we are reviewing our menus to make them more seasonal and incorporating sustainably foraged ingredients, and have designed a fruit and veg garden at our biggest venue Dalziel Park on which work will be beginning imminently.”

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN SIGN ROOMRACCOON TO POWER

NEW ONE-OF-A-KIND HOTEL IN TYNECASTLE PARK STADIUM

Amatch made in hospitality heaven! Heart of Midlothian selects RoomRaccoon as the hotel management system for Tynecastle Park Hotel.

RoomRaccoon, a leading hotel management system for independent hotels, has been selected by Heart of Midlothian, the Scottish Premiership football club, to streamline the operations of their upcoming unique hotel at Tynecastle Park Stadium, Tynecastle Park Hotel.

The anticipated Tynecastle Park Hotel is set to be a 25-room hotel within the Main Stand in the 20,000-capacity venue. It promises to enhance the club’s off-the-pitch offerings and create a truly exceptional destination for fans and visitors alike.

“Working with the team behind Tynecastle Park Hotel has been a fantastic experience,” says Ed Kerr, Market Head of RoomRaccoon UK and Ireland. “Their well-defined goals and objectives made it easy to demonstrate how RoomRaccoon, both as a software solution and as a company, perfectly aligns with the property’s requirements.”

The decision to select RoomRaccoon was intuitive for Heart of Midlothian, as they aim to enhance the guest experience through modern hospitality while preserving the club’s iconic identity.

Valerie Mentiplay of the hotel project team emphasises the importance of maintaining a seamless in-house appearance, stating, “The ability to customise the interface to align with our brand is crucial for us, and RoomRaccoon offers us just that and more.”

With boots on the ground in the UK and its user-friendly interface, RoomRaccoon beat out the competition to take on Tynecastle Park Hotel’s technical operations.

“Our decision to collaborate with RoomRaccoon for the hotel launch was driven by their excellent customer service, which included having a dedicated local contact. As a platform, we were drawn to the all-in-one user-friendly design and function, particularly the ability

to manage all our rates from one platform,” says Derek Paterson, the Hotel Manager of Tynecastle Park Hotel.

Tynecastle Park Hotel will use RoomRaccoon’s dynamic pricing tool and RaccoonRev, the system’s native revenue management tool that shares market insights and benchmarks performance against competitors. More sophisticated insights and automation will benefit the Tynecastle Park Hotel team in developing a pricing strategy that is attractive to prospective guests, leading to increased occupancy and revenue per available room (RevPAR).

“Without the luxury of a team dedicated solely to looking at rates, the Revenue Management function within RoomRaccoon will be a key feature for us and will help give us the confidence that we are making the most of our rates whilst being able to focus on service and looking after our guests,” says Derek.

RoomRaccoon’s Founder and CEO, Tymen van Dyl, says: “We are incredibly honoured to have been chosen by Heart of Midlothian as their trusted hotel management system provider. We understand the unique significance of Tynecastle Park Stadium in the hearts of fans, and we are committed to empowering Heart of Midlothian FC and their new team at Tynecastle Park Hotel with our advanced technology so that they can focus on creating memorable and seamless experiences for their guests.”

To learn more about RoomRaccoon’s all-in-one hotel management system, visit roomraccoon.co.uk or email uk@roomraccoon.com.

BRIG O’DOON HOUSE HOTEL ALLOWAY, AYRSHIRE KA7 4PQ

BY PENNY DEVLIN

The RAD Group unveiled its transformation of iconic Ayrshire Wedding venue Brig O’Doon earlier this summer with the launch of its new Grand Ballroom and Garden Lounge, following a £500k investment.

The RAD Group, owned by Robert and Vivien Kyle, took ownership of the hotel in October 2022 and re-imagined the hotel’s wedding facilities before utilising its in house company ‘RAD Project Management’ to undertake the renovations.

The business worked with suppliers such as Curtainwise and Woks Direct to create its vision for the hotel.

The new Grand Ballroom has been carefully designed in harmony with the venues original features and is brought to life with the addition of awe-inspiring chandeliers and ceiling features as well as updated fabrics throughout.

The new Garden Lounge Bar is now used exclusively for Weddings while The lounge bar is situated directly below the Grand Ballroom meaning guests can seamlessly make their way down for a drinks reception amidst unrivalled views of the manicured gardens and the famous Brig itself.

Robert & Vivien Kyle along with their team at RAD are happy with all the feedback so far.

“Our renovations at Brig o’ Doon represent a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to offering extraordinary wedding experiences throughout Scotland. We are delighted to provide couples with a venue which combines rich heritage and charm along with modern elegance right here in Ayrshire. The staff at Brig o’ Doon have played a vital role in bringing this vision to life and have provided tremendous knowledge and support to our upcoming wedding couples who all can’t wait for their special moments here – we can’t thank them enough! ” says owners Vivien & Robert Kyle.

The RAD Hotel Group’s first hotel in Scotland was their flagship Lochside House Hotel, Spa and Lodges in 1999. Lochside was soon established as an award-winning wedding venue and a Spa was added. Today the group has a portfolio of six venue throughout Scotland including Fairfield House Hotel – Ayr, Carlton Hotel Prestwick; Hetland Hall Hotel, Dumfries; Dalmeny Park Hotel, Barrhead,; Royal Hotel, Cumnock; Radstone Hotel, Larkhall and of course Brig O’Doon.

RAD’s mission, as an independently run business, is to maintain a constant vision and stay true to its core values, whilst providing guests with a first-class service..

A NEW FACE AT VIRGIN HOTELS EDINBURGH

Virgin Hotels has appointed Mafalda Moura Albuquerque as General Manager of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh.

Mafalda brings a wealth of knowledge with over 10 years’ experience in the hospitality sector working in luxury lifestyle properties. Most recently as General Manager at the five-star hotel, Kimpton Blythswood Square and Voco Grand Central. Prior to that, she was Taskforce General Manager at the Crowne Plaza Kensington & Blackfriars in London under IHG Hotels and Resorts.

Mafalda said, “I’m thrilled to be joining the Virgin Hotels family and leading the exceptional team at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh. This is an exciting opportunity for me to contribute my passion for exceptional guest experiences and innovative Virgin Hotels practices. I look forward to working closely with the team to continue delivering heartfelt service and ensure Virgin Hotels Edinburgh remains the go-to destination for visitors and Edinburgh locals alike.”

James Bermingham, CEO of Virgin Hotels, adds, “We’re thrilled to welcome Mafalda to the Virgin Hotels team. Her extensive experience and dedication to excellence align perfectly with our vision and commitment to surprise and delight and create memorable experiences. We are confident Mafalda’s leadership will elevate Virgin Hotels Edinburgh to even greater heights and we look forward to its continued success.”

NEW FUTURE’S TRUSTEES APPOINTED AT HIT

Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has appointed three trustees from its Futures Group – an exclusive networking group set up to share ideas and contribute to the future of Scottish hospitality.

The three new trustees are:

Stephen Buchanan, New Openings & Ops Manager, Buzzworks Holdings

Amy Lightbody, Digital Producer, Dog Digital James McGuire, GB Commercial Manager, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

The new trustees were appointed from the HIT Scotland Futures Group, which was established for rising stars of the industry to share their thoughts and ideas on issues relevant to the next generation of Scottish hospitality professionals. This in turn has helped shape the industry charity’s events, scholarships and 5-year strategy.

While only one trustee position was advertised, the three candidates were so strong

that HIT Scotland Chair Angela Vickers and Vice Chair Alan Halliday decided to appoint them all.

The Futures Group features passionate individuals from leading businesses in a variety of sectors. Committee member Hayleigh Mullen is a 2023 Acorn Award winner while members Mollie McCaughley and Chris Cassidy are both HIT Future Leader Award recipients.

David Cochrane MBE, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, added:

“The Future Group has become a cornerstone of HIT, so we recently offered a Trustee position to the group. The group meets regularly to deliver actions and evolve programmes provided by HIT Scotland.

“Amy, James and Stephen were such strong candidates that we simply couldn’t choose between them. We are delighted to have their combined experience and passion now benefitting the Board of Trustees, HIT Scotland and the future of the wider industry.”

MORAN TAKES OVER AT THE BLYSTHWOOD HOTEL

Kimpton Blythswood Square, which recently completed a seven-figure refurbishment, has announced the appointment of Daniel Moran to the role of general manager.

Daniel brings with him over 15 years of hospitality experience to his new role, having most recently held the position of general manager at the very first Vignette Collection, Hotel X Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, which he helped to launch in 2021 and which won Australia’s Best Upper-Upscale Hotel at 2022 HM Awards and Australia’s Best Hotel Bar at 2022 AHA Awards.

Originally from Glasgow, Daniel moved to Australia in 2015 and played an integral role in the JAPAC IHG team, working in InterContinental Adelaide as well as the Holiday Inn Express, Adelaide.

Daniel said, “It feels like the perfect time to come back to Glasgow and join the team at Kimpton Blythswood Square. Glasgow is a special city, with an amazing atmosphere. I’ve enjoyed watching it develop from afar in recent years; the food scene continues to evolve, and it’s increasingly become a destination for major events.

“I’m bringing with me a deep understanding of how creating authentic guest experiences engages with local communities. Kimpton is a landmark hotel in Glasgow, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it, meeting the team and our guests.”

HIT POET’S LUNCH GLASGOW

Celebrating 21 years of the POETS, the recent HIT event was themed on Now That’s What I Call POETS 21 and raised an incredible £83k to provide empowering inspirational development for the Scottish hospitality industry. The left to right for the group Trustees photo (left) is Beyonce, Barry Laurie, AAB Group, Paul Wilson, Xpress Recruitment, Amy Lightbody, Dog Digital, Elton John, Chris Wayne-Wills, Crerar Hotels, Angela Vickers, Apex Hotels, James McGuire, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Stephen Buchanan, Buzzworks Holdings, Kylie Minogue, David Cochrane, HIT Scotland, Fergus Chambers, Braehead Foods, Bernard Murphy, Ralph Trustees and Freddie Mercury.

SCOTTISH BAR AND PUB AWARDS

Some of the winners - L/R Lifetime Achievement - Billy Lowe, Black Ivy; Family Business of the Year - The Oak Tree Inn; Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year - Great Scots’ Bar, Cameron House; Golden Jubilee Award for Hospitality Excellence - The Original Rosslyn Inn.