Leicester’s new Novotel and Adagio hotels and independent restaurant NineB, in the city centre’s Great Central Square development, will be led by a senior team of industry experts – with more than 245 years’ combined experience.
The scheme – which comes under the Accor brand and is owned by Leicester-based developer Charles Street Buildings Group – features a restaurant and two fully serviced hotels.
Ten senior staff members have recently been appointed by the brand to work across the project, which will also create over 60 jobs.
James Conaghan, who has over 25 years’ experience in hotel management with 11 years of cluster management experience at Jupiter Hotels, will oversee operations across both establishments and act as general manager of the two hotels.
He said: “We’re incredibly proud of the team that we have put together – each person brings a unique skillset and a wealth of experience, so we have no doubt that they will thrive within their roles and help the development to do the same.”
Nikki Wilson, director of sales, will manage and attain business bookings for both hotels, following eight years’ experience as regional director of sales at hotel and leisure business De Vere.
Scott Mills, who has four years’ experience as cluster revenue manager for Interstate Hotels, has been appointed as revenue manager for both Novotel and Adagio – alongside Rachel Case who will take the role as finance manager after spending six years as financial controller for hospitality management company RBH.
Karen Feeney will take charge of HR and work alongside 10 front and three back of office staff who are yet to join the team.
Judit Ruiz has been appointed as operations manager at Adagio, and Manpreet Singh will be in charge of operations at the Novotel. Aman Sirpal – who has over 10 years’ managerial experience, including four years at the Radisson Blu – will take the front of house manager role, while Manish Sharma will oversee the hotels’ independent restaurant NineB as food and beverage manager, which will have a workforce of more than 10 catering staff.
The housekeeping services will be outsourced to a team of over 20 local people, which will work alongside maintenance manager John Fletcher.
Next year, the centrally located site will also hire 20 temporary members of staff over the Christmas period to deal with the heightened demand of the festive season.
James added: “We are still very much on the lookout for people to join our team. I think it’s important that we are able to create these jobs and invest in the skills and expertise of the people of Leicester. We currently have an incredibly strong set of staff and we are excited to see that grow and expand as the hotels and restaurant launch in the new year.”
