Hospitality movers and shakers: Tommy Banks, Karen Weisheit, David Stevens and more

It’s been a busy month for job changes in the hospitality industry, with a host of people leaving roles or taking on new positions in August.

 

We round-up some of the appointments to watch from the past month.

 

Peter Walker joins Marcliffe Hotel and Spa country hotel

 

Balmoral Group has appointed Peter Walker (pictured above) as general manager of the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa country hotel on the outskirts of Aberdeen. He joins from Fonab Castle Hotel and Spa in Pitlochry, where he was general manager. Walker previously worked at Marcliffe as assistant general manager from 2005-09 and also got married at the hotel.

 

Tommy Banks takes on consulting executive chef role

 

The chef behind the Michelin-starred Black Swan at Oldstead has taken on a consulting executive chef role at the Saltmoore wellness resort in North Yorkshire ahead of its opening this autumn. He will work with head chef Adam Maddock on the culinary offering, including two bars and four restaurants.

 

Seamus Sam leaves Muse by Tom Aikens

 

Seamus Sam has left his head chef role at Michelin-starred Muse by Tom Aikens in Belgravia after five years, becoming the last of the opening team to move on from the restaurant. He has taken on an acting head chef position at Michelin-starred Evelyn’s Table in Soho, replacing outgoing head chef James Goodyear who said he was moving on to an “amazing new chapter”.

 

Karen Weisheit promoted to general manager

 

Karen Weisheit has been promoted from hotel manager to general manager at the Grove of Narbeth country house hotel in Pembrokeshire. She first began working for the hotel’s parent company Seren Collection seven years ago and during her tenure the Grove of Narberth has won five AA red stars, four AA rosettes for its Fernery restaurant, and two Catey awards. 

 

Tom Crocker joins Rhubarb Hospitality Collection

 

Rhubarb Hospitality Collection (RHC) has appointed Tom Crocker as VP of business development. In his new role, he will focus on delivering growth across Rhubarb’s key channels, including its Iconic Venues and Cultural Locations arms. Crocker joins from a role as businesses and innovation director at Aramark, where his success saw him win Salesperson of the Year at the 2023 Foodservice Cateys.

 

Alberto Pelaez Herrera steps down at Gleneagles Townhouse

 

The general manager at Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh has stepped down after almost three years in the role. Alberto Pelaez Herrera joined the hotel in March 2022 as executive assistant manager and progressed to general manager following its opening the same year. His next role has yet to be confirmed and Gleneagles has not announced his successor. 

 

The Other House South Kensington appoints Ingrid Moreni

 

Aparthotel and private members’ club the Other House South Kensington in London has appointed Ingrid Moreni as general manager. She has more than 15 years’ experience in hospitality and has worked for hotels including Montcalm East in Tower Bridge and Kensington hotel in London. Moreni takes over from Christian Kaberg, who led the 200-room property for the past 18 months.

 

David Stevens returns to Jeremy King

 

David Stevens has left his group executive chef role at the Wolseley Hospitality Group to take up a job with his former boss Jeremy King. He has joined Jeremy King Restaurants to oversee the reopening of the historic Simpsons in the Strand in London as executive chef.

 

Charles Hilton takes role at the Wolseley Hospitality Group

 

Meanwhile, Charles Hilton has taken over the group executive chef role at the Wolseley Hospitality Group. He oversees a brigade of 200 team members across London restaurants including Manzi’s and Soutine. Hilton has over 30 years’ experience in professional cooking and has spent the last eight years as head chef at Brasserie Zedel.