Scott Harper to add Hotel du Vin to his COO role at Malmaison

Scott Harper, chief operating officer (COO) of Malmaison, is to add Hotel du Vin to his remit following the sudden departure of Nick Halliday earlier this month.

Combining responsibility for the sibling boutique brands will mean that Harper will now be responsible for 34 hotels (19 Hotel Du Vin and 15 Malmaison).

The announcement of Harper's expanded role follows on from the appointment last year of Guus Bakker as chief executive of Hotel du Vin and Malmaison. Bakker took on his new responsibilities in addition to his position as chief executive, Frasers Hospitality Europe, Middle East & Africa.

Frasers Hospitality UK, which parent company is based in Singapore, acquired Hotel du Vin and Malmaison in 2015 from by US-based private equity firm KSL Capital Partners.

Harper has worked as COO of Malmaison since 2012, having previously been group operation director for the both Malmaison and Hotel du Vin. Earlier in his career he held senior and general manager roles at Columbus hotel in Monaco; Blue Water, Antigua and Millenium Bailey hotel, London.

Bakker said: "I am delighted to welcome Scott to the new role. Both brands continue to grow and with several new hotels opening this year and next, their popularity as the UK's leading boutique hotel brands remains as strong as ever. I am excited about working closely with Scott to help deliver further exciting growth".

Hotel du Vin opened its 19th hotel earlier this month in Stratford-upon-Avon. Future Malmaison properties are due to launch over the next two years in Bournemouth, Edinburgh and York.

Halliday confirmed to The Caterer that he is going on to pursue "a new project", although he said that he would "might be some while" before he will be able to reveal the details.

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