New GM appointed at Whatley Manor as Sue Williams steps back

Mella will succeed Sue Williams, who joined the hotel in 2016, leading the Malmesbury-property to to a number of industry and consumer accolades. 

A well-known figure in the hotel and restaurant space, Williams will carry on at Whatley Manor in a consultancy role, continuing to guide the property on its sustainability initiatives, and will also pursue several other independent industry collaborations.

Mella joins Whatley Manor from Celebrated Experiences, where he was chief partnership officer and director for the past year. 

Prior to that he was general manager at Barnsley House and the Village Pub near Cirencester between 2009 and 2022. 

Additional hospitality experience includes Calcot Manor in Tetbury, where he held various roles, starting as assistant restaurant manager, moving on to restaurant manager, and rising in the ranks to deputy general manager of the hotel.

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to take over at the helm of Whatley Manor, one of the standout hotels of the English countryside. Sue Williams is handing over a great team who are passionate about the vision of the Landolt family (the property’s owners), and I can’t wait to be part of its future successes.”

Owner Christian Landolt added: “It is with mixed emotions that we are announcing Sue Williams’s departure from Whatley Manor after seven amazing years. Sue has steered Whatley Manor masterly during the testing economic and Covid times. Considering her passion for sustainability issue, I fully understand and support her desire to step down from operational management to focus on that subject.”

“Her engagement towards sustainability, and her determination to make Whatley a leader in that department, has been second to none, and I am very grateful that she will remain our sustainability adviser. It has been an honour to have had Sue as our GM, and we will deeply miss her. Sue has been a major player in selecting her successor, and I am pleased that Michele Mella will take the helm in November after a handover period.”