James Perry named general manager of the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne

James Perry has been appointed general manager of the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, marking the first change in leadership at the property in 30 years.

He replaces Jonathan Webley, who announced his retirement earlier this year, having joined the 152-room hotel as general manager aged 34.

Perry has over 30 years’ experience in hospitality, having started as a part-time worker at a local hotel while studying for his degree in political science.

In 2000, he took on his first hotel management role as deputy general manager of Eastwood Hall in Nottingham. After spending eight years in the region, he relocated to Kent in 2008 to take on his first general manager role at the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge.

In 2012, he joined Alexander Hotels, where he spent the past 12 years working as general manager of Rowhill Grange Hotel & Utopia Spa.

He now joins Elite Hotels to oversee the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, which is his first seaside property.

Graeme Bateman, managing director of Elite Hotels, said: “It is my pleasure to welcome James to the Elite Hotels collection. With his extensive knowledge and experience, we are excited to see the innovative contributions he will bring to the Grand.

“This appointment is particularly significant, representing the first change of general manager at the Grand in over 30 years, a notable rarity in today’s hospitality industry.”

Perry added: “It’s a privilege to be taking on the role of general manager at such a locally renowned hotel. I hope to continue the progress of my predecessor, building on the hotel’s excellent reputation and working alongside the team, to achieve our strategic goals and give guests the best possible experience.”

Over the years, the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, has hosted celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin and Dame Helen Mirren, as well as composers such as Debussy and Elgar.

Elite Hotels was founded in 1986 and has three properties in its portfolio: the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne; Tylney Hall hotel, Hampshire; and Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, East Sussex.