Senior staff changes at RFH

Rocco Forte Hotels (RFH) has announced a number of senior level personnel moves, including the departure of David Pantin, managing director for the UK and Russia.

Pantin joined Sir Rocco Forte's RFH group in 1999, but his connection with the family goes back to 1977, when he began his career at Trusthouse Forte.

Pantin's duties will be assumed by Moreno Occhiolini and Richard Power when he leaves at Christmas.

As managing director for London and mainland Europe, Occhiolini will assume responsibility for Brown's hotel in London, which Pantin has been running since its acquisition by RFH in July. Power will become managing director, UK operations and brand marketing, with responsibility for the Lowry hotel, Manchester, St David's Hotel & Spa, Cardiff, and the Balmoral, Edinburgh.

At general manager level, this month sees Martin Elsner replace the outgoing Matthew Dixon, who is transferring from the Hotel de Russie in Rome to Brown's. Jason Harding has been promoted from resident manager at Brown's to general manager at St David's.

Debbie Taylor will move from St David's to become general manager at the Balmoral, taking over from the outgoing Gerhard Schaller, on 10 December.

RFH has also unveiled plans for its €124m (£85m) resort development on the island of Sicily, Italy. The 200-hectare development, due to open in 2007, will feature a private beach, spa complex, two championship golf courses and a hotel with 200 bedrooms, including 50 suites. A second phase will add 50 luxury villas.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 13 - 19 November 2003