Kevin Brooke appointed general manager of Heckfield Place

Kevin Brooke has been appointed general manager of Heckfield Place in Hampshire following the announcement of Olivia Richli's departure.

Richli departs the 45-bedroom hotel this month to return to her home in Sri Lanka. She joined the 438-acre estate in January 2018 ahead of its official opening later that year, having been "plucked from semi-retirement".

Brooke will oversee the launch of the hotel's Bothy spa this year. He was previously general manager of the five-red-AA-starred, 47-bedroom Cliveden House. During his three-year tenure there, he oversaw the completion of L+R Hotels' multimillion-pound restoration of the property, which famously hosted Meghan Markle on the eve of her wedding.

He was also formerly general manager of the Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro, where he was responsible for all aspects of operation and performance of the luxury resort.

Brooke said: "I am delighted and honoured to be taking over from Olivia Richli as general manager of Heckfield Place. The values that Heckfield Place stands for and the vision for the hotel and the estate are truly inspiring. I am very excited to be involved in the next stage of its evolution."