Directorship for Beach House head chef Hywel Griffith

Beach House head chef Hywel Griffith has been promoted to chef-patron and director of the restaurant in Oxwich on the Gower Peninsular.

This is the first time any individual within the Seren Collection has been offered a directorship together with a shareholding in any of the group's hotel and restaurant businesses, owned by Zoe and Neil Kedward and which also includes the Grove of Narberth and Coast restaurant in Pembrokeshire.

Managing director of the Seren Collection, Neil Kedward, said: "I think it is quite clear to all our staff and guests alike that Hywel has been an exceptional appointment for us. Hywel took real ownership of the whole restaurant and the team from the outset and his professional values are clearly reflected in every aspect of the delivery.

"He has always had a firm commercial grip on the business and further has become a real mentor to all our restaurant staff and managers. It was only right that somebody showing such extraordinary leadership should have ownership and properly share in its future success."

Griffith said: "Beach House restaurant has been the opportunity of a lifetime for me. I feel completely at home on the Gower and have been given total freedom to cook the food I love. Working for Neil and Zoe has changed my whole management style and approach, and I am very proud to be associated with this forward-thinking hospitality business which has such a big heart."

Griffith launched the restaurant in June 2016, returning to his native Wales from his previous head chef role at Steven Smith's Freemasons at Wiswell in Lancashire. His first head chef position was at Paul Heathcote's Longridge restaurant near Preston, following sous chef roles under Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor and at Ynyshir Hall near Machynlleth, Powys.

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