Hospitality movers and shakers: Ollie Dabbous, Gavin Adair, Simon Ulph and more

BM Caterers names first head of wine

Marie Phalippou has been appointed to the newly-created role of head of wine at BM Caterers. She will oversee the contract caterer’s wine programme, support initiatives related to wine education and run a seasonal wine club for clients. Her new role will exist alongside her deputy hospitality manager position at a central London law firm.

Michael Clitheroe leaving Balmer Lawn

Michael Clitheroe is to step down as general manager of Balmer Lawn hotel in the New Forest after nearly 10 years. He said it was “time for me to take a breath, reflect and look ahead to new opportunities”. Clitheroe will depart in January 2025 and is looking for a new role in the hotel industry. The hotel has yet to announce a replacement.

Prezzo hires Mark McCulloch

Prezzo has appointed former Pret A Manger and YO! Sushi marketing director Mark McCulloch to chief marketing officer. He will join the high-street brand three days a week to drive the next phase of Prezzo’s strategy. McCulloch was behind the Hospitality Rising advertising campaign, which launched in 2022 to drive hospitality recruitment.

Rosa’s Thai CEO to step down

Gavin Adair is to step down as chief executive as Rosa’s Thai at the end of the year. He will continue to support the board as non-executive director, overseeing the growth of the business. Adair joined Rosa’s Thai as managing director in 2017 after working at Wahaca. He was made chief executive in 2020 and has overseen the group while growing from 10 to over 40 UK restaurants.

New GM for Gleneagles Townhouse

Ewan Grant has been named general manager of the 33-bedroom Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh. The native Scotsman joins from a role as operations director at Daylesford Organic and oversaw the opening of the Fox at Oddington. It follows the departure of Alberto Pelaez Herrera, who has left after three years at the property.

D&D London co-founder to step back

David Loewi will step down from his role as chief executive of D&D London at the end of the year. The co-founder of the business will continue to serve as an advisor to the board until it finds his replacement. Loewi bought out Sir Terence Conran’s restaurant company with Des Gunerwardena in 2006 and expanded the group internationally. He took over as chief executive in 2022 after Gunewardena’s departure and remained in the role after D&D’s sale to investors Calveton and Breal Capital in 2023.

Christobell Giles to lead Vagabond

Majestic Wine has promoted Christobell Giles to managing director of Vagabond Wines. The group’s former operations director has also served as acting general manager from August. She joined the group in March 2023, having previously worked at Wagamama, Hilton and Megan’s Restaurants, and will now be tasked with growing Vagabond and expanding its wine portfolio across the UK.

Senior departure at Cameron House

Michael Lavizani has left his role as resort director of Cameron House on Loch Lomond. He joined the property in June 2023 and oversaw a team of 500 people. The Caterer understands he left his position at the luxury hotel at the end of November and a successor has yet to be announced. 

Lore Group founder joins Beaumier

Billy Skelli-Cohen, the founder of Lore Group, has been appointed chief executive of European boutique hotel group Beaumier as it sets its sights on UK expansion. He will take on the role from 1 January 2025, having most recently been chief executive of Zien Group, which owns and operates the Amsterdam-based Eden Hotels brand.

Leadership changes at Sodexo

Sean Haley is to leave his role as chief executive of Sodexo UK & Ireland at the end of the year. He is moving on to pursue new career opportunities outside the contract catering business after seven years leading the region. Following his departure, Jean Renton, who has been chief financial officer at Sodexo since 2019, will take on the newly created role of chief operating officer from 1 January.

Ex-Bibendum chef to head hotel restaurant

Matthew Harris, the former head chef at Bibendum in London’s Chelsea, has been named executive chef at Harry’s restaurant, which will launch in February at the Gallivant hotel in Rye. Harris’s menu will feature seasonal sharing plates inspired by his career in classic French restaurants.

Artfarm names new CEO

Bee Emmott is to take over as chief executive of the Artfarm hospitality group from 1 January. She will replace outgoing chief executive Ewan Venters, who will work closely with Emmott for the remainder of the year until his departure. Emmott joined Artfarm as chief of staff in 2018 and later moved into a creative director role.

Dorcheser Collection boss steps down

Eugenio Pirri is to step down from his role as joint chief executive officer at the Dorchester Collection. The hotel group said he was leaving “to focus on new pursuits” from 1 January after 14 years at the business. Pirri is yet to confirm his next move.

Longtime Restaurant Andrew Fairlie GM moving on

Dale Dewsbury has announced his departure from Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles after a total of 23 years at the restaurant. He was part of the opening team in 2001 and was named general manager in 2012 following a short break. Dewsbury’s last service will be in December, after which he is understood to want a change of pace after 40 years in the industry.

Simon Ulph joins Northcote

Simon Ulph has been named head chef at the Michelin-starred Northcote in Lancashire. He joins from the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in the Lake District, where he was senior sous chef for executive chef Ollie Bridgwater at the Michelin-starred Source at Gilpin hotel. Ulph said he was excited to “keep pushing this iconic hotel forward” alongside executive chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen.

Perle Hotels group promotion

Beth Rehman has been promoted from brand director to managing director of the Perle Hotels group, which operates properties across the Scottish Highlands. Rehman, who was previously chief financial officer of a liquified natural gas start-up, will lead the business into its next phase of growth.

MasterChef winner leaves Hampton Manor

Chef Stu Deeley has left Smoke at Hampton Manor in Solihull, three years after launching the restaurant. The 2019 MasterChef: The Professionals winner said it “wasn’t an easy decision to make” but he was stepping back to focus on the upcoming birth of his third baby. Smoke will trade as normal until 23 February 2025 when the hotel will open a new restaurant, Kynd, led by chef David Taylor.

Adam Dyke joins the Grand, York hotel

Adam Dyke has been named general manager of the Grand, York. He takes over from Simon Mahon, who announced his departure from the Catey-winning hotel in September after five years at the property. Dyke joins the 207-room Grand, York from Luxury Family Hotels, where he was group operations director.

Ray Goertz leaves Prince Akatoki hotel

Ray Goertz stepped down as general manager of the Prince Akatoki London hotel at the end of November. Goertz joined the hotel in 2017 and oversaw its 2019 transformation from the Arch London into the Prince Akatoki London. The hotel has yet to announce a replacement and Goertz has not confirmed his next move.