Brownsword appoints new CEO as Nick Halliday moves to Hotel du Vin
Brownsword Hotels has appointed Jason Carruthers as chief executive following the departure of Nick Halliday to Hotel du Vin as chief operating officer.
Carruthers (pictured, right) will move to his new position in June, having had experience in both independent hotels and multinational businesses. He will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the six Gidleigh Collection hotels, which include Gidleigh Park and the Bath Priory, and six city-centre Abode Hotels.
Meanwhile, Nick Halliday has moved to Hotel du Vin to oversee the growth of the 15-strong brand, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary later this year.
After spending three years as chief executive of Brownsword Hotels, Halliday said that he was very attracted by the strength of the Hotel du Vin brand, having long admired the core values put in place by its founders, Robin Hutson and Gerard Basset.
"My job is now to build on those values, polish the brand and physically grow it in the future," he said.
Halliday explained that Hotel du Vin is currently in advanced negotiations to acquire a property in Stratford-upon-Avon and two sites in central London. Oxford and Aberdeen are also high on the list of locations where Hotel du Vin wants to be.
"The new owners also have an appetite to grow Hotel du Vin outside the UK," said Halliday, who worked as general manager at the Malmaison Newcastle before joining Andrew Brownsword in 2004 as head of operations and then managing director at Abode Hotel.
Carruthers is currently managing director at Accor, where he is responsible for 24 hotels operating under the Mercure and M Gallery brands. Previously he worked as development director at the Stafford hotel, London.
Carruthers said he was thrilled to be joining Brownsword Hotels, which he considers, to be "one of the finest collection of hotels" in the UK
"During the last fifteen years I have witnessed the steady growth of the group and I believe the strength of locations, quality of the hotels and experience of the team provides the right foundations for future success."
"I will use all of my past experiences in our sector to help steer the team in continuing to deliver exceptional customer service."
Andrew Brownsword, who owns the company with his wife Christina, said: "While we are sorry to see Nick Halliday move on we are delighted to welcome Jason Carruthers to the team as chief executive of Brownsword Hotels.
"As with all change at the top level it has always been my experience that a fresh pair of eyes can do no harm. The family and I certainly look forward to developing our business alongside Jason."
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