People On The Move: April 2017
Simon Rogan, the multiple Michelin-starred chef-restaurateur, best known for his flagship two-starred site L’Enclume, in Cumbria’s Cartmel, is to part ways with luxury Mayfair hotel Claridge’s, three years after Fera at Claridge’s opened. The management agreement was for 10 years – with a five-year break clause – but the chef is now confirmed as leaving from 30 April, although the restaurant will continue under his head chef, Matt Starling. Rogan’s restaurant group, UMBEL, is said to be in talks to re-open Roganic, the former Marylebone pop-up that closed in 2013.
David Durack is now general manager at French wine-and-food-matching restaurant Les 110 de Taillevent in Marylebone. He was previously general manager at 45 Jermyn Street, and has also worked in the same role at Brasserie St Nicholas in London. He was also manager of the restaurants Wild Honey, and Arbutus, and most recently worked as the Brasserie General Manager at The Arts Club, and as a Consultant for Chapter One Farnborough and Chapters All Day Dining Blackheath.
Nick McCabe (left) is to replace Neil Moffitt (right) as chief executive of the Hakkasan Group. McCabe was previously president and chief operating officer. Moffitt has been with the company for five years, and played a key role in its growth. It now runs more than sixty clubs, bar and restaurant venues across four continents, including Hakkasan, Sake No Hana, and Yauatcha in the UK. “I am proud to leave a lasting legacy and an excellent management team and wish the new shareholders and the team the best of luck,” says Moffitt.
Jason Wardill is now executive chef at The Principal York Hotel, in its Refectory Kitchen & Terrace. Having joined in February, Wardill has played a key role in designing the site’s new menu, which launched this spring and focuses on Yorkshire ingredients. Wardill brings 25 years’ relevant experience, including time as head chef at Rudding Park, and The Clock Tower; five years in Sydney at five-star hotel The Star, and four years as chef-owner of his own two AA-rosette pub in Derbyshire.
Thomas Garlich has joined country house hotel Sopwell House as general manager. He joins from a role at Luton Hoo Hotel Golf and Spa, where he was resident manager for eight years. Garlich began his hospitality career in 1983, working as a chef apprentice in a number of Michelin starred restaurants, before moving to work in front-of-house at the Pink Beach Club in Bermuda. In his new he will oversee Sopwell House’s 128 rooms, two restaurants, cocktail lounge and bar, as well as the upcoming extension of its spa.
Hotel du Vin Cheltenham has welcomed Chris Thompson as general manager. Thompson has worked at Malmaison, Hotel du Vin’s sister brand, since 2013. He is now responsible for all the day-to-day operations of the Cheltenham hotel, and will also focus on developing its team. Nick Halliday, chief operations office at Hotel du Vin, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Chris to the brand. He’s done some excellent work at Malmaison and we believe he’ll be a real asset to both the hotel and the brand. I look forward to working with him.”
Natalie Sexton has been appointed group marketing manager at Malmaison Hotel du Vin. She joins from a role at luxury cruise line Silversea and has over ten years’ experience in marketing in the hospitality and leisure sector. In her new role she will work closely with the senior team to implement the group marketing strategy, with particular emphasis on enhancing the brand position in key markets.
Amaris Hospitality has appointed Peter Stack as managing director for Amaris Asset Management. He previously focused on management of the group’s Accor portfolio, including the rebanding of 11 hotels to the Mercure brand. His new title reflects the role he has played in helping drive growth across the Accor sites.
Wesley Ridgeway is the new general manager of Hotel du Vin Cambridge. He joins from a role as operations manager at Malmaison London. Ridgeway said: “I am thrilled to be joining the team at Cambridge. It’s such a beautiful, fascinating city, steeped in culture and history. I can’t wait to get to know it, and the community, better, and I look forward to welcoming them to the hotel.”
Paul Walters has joined The Principal London Hotel as general manager. He joins the group from InterContinental Hotels, where he was general manager at the five-star InterContinental Sydney from 2015. Prior to that, Paul spent eight years with the Langham Hospitality Group, including three and a half years as general manager of The Langham in London. His CV also includes time with W Hotels and a number of general manager roles for GHM.
