Pictured above: (Front Row l-r) Michelle Dean - Revenue
Manager, Julia Freeman - Sales & Marketing Manager, Toni
Higginbottom - Finance Manager, Stephanie Tandy - Human Resources
Manager (Back Row l-r) Alan Bell - Head Chef, Martin Wright -
General Manager, Gerry Ross - Food & Beverage Operations
Manager
The senior management team that will run the new 4-star
150-bedroom Drayton Manor Hotel, at Drayton Manor Theme Park, has
been appointed and is all set for the opening on Monday 15th
August.
The team consists of Martin Wright, General Manager; Michelle
Dean, Revenue Manager; Julia Freeman, Sales and Marketing Manager;
Toni Higginbottom, Finance Manager; Stephanie Tandy, Human
Resources Manager; Alan Bell, Head Chef; and Gerry Ross, Food and
Beverage Operations Manager.
The hotel will have 11 Thomas & Friends™ themed family
rooms, each one featuring Thomas & Friends decor and specially
designed Thomas the Tank Engine bunk beds.
Guests will also be able to enjoy the two restaurants, Parklands
Restaurant and Parklands Brassiere, as well as the two bars.
Meanwhile, younger guests will love the indoor Thomas & Friends
themed playroom.
Martin Wright, said: "I'm confident that we have a strong and
capable management team, which will provide a first-class service
from day one of the hotel's opening.
"The Drayton Manor Hotel is a major multi-million pound
investment for Drayton Manor Theme Park. The management team and I
plan to ensure that this investment helps transform the park from a
popular day out venue into a family holiday resort.
"The hotel will also be a venue for corporate hospitality events
and private functions, which will complement Drayton Manor's
existing facilities."
Staff Biographies
Michelle Dean has worked in the West Midlands hospitality
industry for 19 years for the likes of Intercontinental Hotels,
Holiday Inn, Park Inn and Radisson.
Julia Freeman began her hospitality career at the age of 16
working in a country B&B. Since then, she's worked for a range
of hotels including De Vere, IHG & Corus in various roles, such
as conference and banqueting host, events sales manager, wedding
co-ordinator and business development manager.
Toni Higginbottom has worked in finance for large hotels in the
Peak District and most recently a new build hotel in Stevenage.
Stephanie Tandy gained CIPD membership in 1994. She spent the
past 15 years working in London for the likes of Thistle Hotels,
The Melia Group and the Firoka Group.
After starting his career as a trainee chef, Alan Bell worked
his way up the hospitality ladder to cook for royalty, politicians
and celebrities. In the past 25 years, Alan has worked for major
hotel chains, including Hilton, Millennium Copthorne and De
Vere.
Despite a degree in English & Education, Gerry Ross chose a
career in hospitality, which has seen him operate a range of roles
from head chef to restaurant manager.
Anyone wanting further information about hosting an event at
Drayton Manor Theme Park should visit www.draytonmanorhotel.co.uk,
or contact the events team on events@draytonmanorhotel.co.uk or
call 01827 285551.