Richard Young steps down after 20 years as MD of Great Fosters

The managing director of Great Fosters in Egham, Surrey, has stepped down following 20 years in the role, three months after the hotel was sold.

Richard Young said that he was now looking for "a fresh challenge". He was at the helm of the property last year when the four-AA-red-star, 41-bedroom hotel was announced as the winner of the AA Hotel of the Year (England) 2018-19 award.

He explained: "It's been a fantastic 20 years at Great Fosters and, in that time, I've experienced the high and lows of our trade; negotiating some tricky waters including the financial crash, while helping to implement new technologies and overcoming various crises and changes in consumer demands, all while maintaining a continuously standout offering that has enticed Great Fosters' guests to return time and time again."

Great Fosters was sold for an undisclosed sum in October 2018 to Alexander Hotels by the Sutcliffe family, who had owned the Grade I-listed Tudor mansion since the 1930s.

Alexander Hotels also owns two other hotels in Surrey: the four-red-AA-star, 22-bedroom Langshott Manor in Horley and four-AA-star, 44-bedroom Barnett Hill, near Guildford; as well as the five-AA-star, 58-bedroom Alexander House hotel in Turner's Hill, West Sussex; and the four-AA-star, 38-bedroom Rowhill Grange hotel in Wilmington, Kent.

Ian Heath, operations director at Alexander Hotels, said: "We'd like to wish Richard all the best in his future endeavours. We're excited to take this on and build on the success of what is already a fantastic property and offering."

Great Fosters hotel in Egham acquired by Alexander Hotels >>

Operator of Alexander Hotels snaps up Barnett Hill hotel in Surrey >>

Surrey hotel Great Fosters to open two new restaurants in 2013 >>

Get The Caterer every week on your smartphone, tablet, or even in good old-fashioned hard copy (or all three!).