Edward Bracken named general manager at the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences

Edward Bracken has been appointed general manager at the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences in London’s Mayfair, following the property’s restructuring earlier this year.

Bracken takes over from Joanne Taylor-Stagg, who left the business in February after the Athenaeum’s management company Sir Richard Sutton Limited (SRSL) started a consultation process “to create a more agile and leaner organisation”.

It was believed that some 30 of the Athenaeum team had been at risk, including HR, marketing and finance roles, as SRSL sought to create a shared services model for its hotel portfolio.

As part of the restructuring, Taylor-Stagg stepped down from her role as general manager of the Athenaeum after six years at the helm of the hotel.

Bracken now joins the property from a recent consultancy role, having also worked across a number of London hotels during his 20-year career in hospitality, including at Dixon Tower Bridge, Lost Property St. Paul’s London, Marriott Kensington the Gore, and the Pelham hotel London Kensington.

He remains closely connected to his Irish roots, continuing to serve as a trustee and director at the London Irish Centre.

Bracken said: “I’m truly excited to be joining the Athenaeum Hotel and Residences. This is a hotel with deep character and history, and I look forward to working closely with the team to enhance the guest journey and create new stories for this celebrated Mayfair hotel.”

Alistair Darby, chief executive of parent company Sir Richard Sutton Ltd, added: “Edward has had a successful career nurturing high performing teams. With ambitious development plans on the horizon, we’re thrilled to welcome Edward to the team as we invest in The Athenaeum to maintain its status as one of the finest five-star hotels in Mayfair.”

The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences also features restaurant 116 at the Athenaeum, a bar, spa, 24-hour gym, and an exclusive tenth-floor residents’ lounge, the View.