Chris Smith promoted to general manager at the Vineyard at Stockcross

Chris Smith has been promoted to general manager of the Vineyard near Newbury in Berkshire following the departure of Paul Shanahan.

Shanahan has left the 49-bedroom, five-red-AA-star property after four years in the role to head up hospitality at Holland & Holland’s shooting ground in West London.

Andrew McKenzie, managing director, said: “The hospitality world is an ever-evolving series of doors opening and closing, so Paul’s departure allows the Vineyard to promote Chris Smith to general manager and Judit Balonka to deputy general manager. Between them they have over 12 years of experience at the Vineyard, so we can guarantee a welcome level of consistency along with new energy and ideas. With executive chef Tom Scade doing great things in the kitchen, and head sommelier Romain Bourger overseeing our 30,000 bin wine cellar, we have a great, young and dynamic team!”

South African born Smith has been at the Vineyard since 2015 when he joined the company as food and beverage operations manager, taking on the operations manager role in early 2019, and then in June 2021 was promoted to deputy general manager.

Prior to working at the hotel, he was director of food and beverage at Foxhills Country Club & Resort, and food and beverage manager at Stoke Park Country Club, Spa & Hotel, having been conference and banqueting manager there, and prior to that deputy conference and banqueting manager.

A graduate of the International Hotel School, his hospitality career started in Johannesburg at the Hilton Sandton as a management intern, progressing to conference and banqueting floor manager.