Oliver Bateman has been appointed general manager of the five-red-AA-star 394-bedroom Royal Garden hotel in Kensington.
Bateman, who joins the hotel after 16 years with Hilton across its London portfolio, will take the reins from Jonathan Lowrey.
He joined the industry in 2000, taking a role as a barman at the Sanctuary House hotel in Westminster. He had intended to save for a gap year but never left, progressing through the ranks into guest relations, housekeeping and finance.
Bateman said: "The Royal Garden hotel has always been renowned for its distinctive five-star service, delivering personal touches at every opportunity. Whether you're a family staying for the weekend, a business person, a celebrity, or a sports team, it is the same exceptional experience for everyone.
"One of my key aims is to drive the food and beverage offerings at the hotel. We already have an inspirational team, but I'm always looking for ways to adapt and evolve so we become the trend leaders within the hospitality industry."
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