Hospitality job moves: Hotel Café Royal, the Other House, the Swinton Estate, Mollie’s and more

Changing the guard at Hotel Café Royal 

Ben Miller (above), sous chef at Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal in London, has been promoted to head chef. Miller has worked as sous chef at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant in London’s Mayfair for more than two years, prior to which he worked at the two-Michelin-starred Clove Club in Shoreditch. 

His promotion follows the departure of Pierre Minotti, who has been appointed as executive chef at the Evolv Collection’s Marylebone restaurant Orrery. The restaurant is currently closed for “a comprehensive refurbishment”, but will reopen in the spring as Orrery by Pierre Minotti. Evolv Collection’s chief executive Martin Williams said Minotti’s appointment signals the group’s aim to create “a fine dining restaurant with Michelin-star ambitions”.

Critic’s choice at The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times has appointed longstanding columnist Camilla Young as its new restaurant critic, succeeding Charlotte Ivers, who has held the post since 2023. Young, who began her career at the newspaper editing AA Gill’s contributions to the restaurant pages, said she “looked forward to offering an honest and insightful view of a fascinating and ever-changing industry”. 

Other House CEO finds new home 

Naomi Heaton, founder and chief executive of Other House, has stepped down from the helm of the aparthotel group for a new role as executive chair of parent company LCP Private Office. Heaton will continue to advise on property and hospitality projects in her new role. 

Nadhim Zahawi joins £1b London hotel fund

Former chancellor of the exchequer and current Reform UK member Nadhim Zahawi has been appointed as a director of acquisition entities for the Evolution Investment Fund. The Middle Eastern private equity group is planning to plough £1b into two luxury hotels in London’s Mayfair, including Marriott’s Grosvenor Square outpost. 

Hyatt Hotels chair and heir exits amid Epstein files fallout 

Thomas Pritzker, the son of Hyatt founder Jay Pritzker, has stepped down from his role as executive chairman of the hotel group with immediate effect after he was named in the latest tranche of the Epstein files. Pritzker, who was revealed to have been in regular contact with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, said he “deeply regrets” his association with the pair. He will be succeeded by the hotel group’s president and chief executive Mark Hoplamazian. 

Tortilla UK CEO to leave in board reshuffle 

Fast-casual Mexican chain Tortilla’s UK chief executive Andy Naylor has stepped down from his role after eight years. Naylor will be succeeded by Leon’s managing director and Tapas Revolution co-founder Mac Plumpton. The chain’s founder, Brandon Stephens, who has acted as a non-executive director of the business since 2014, will move into the role of group CEO.  

Swinton Estate poaches the Grand, York director  

Ramune Aleks, director of F&B at the Grand, York, has been snapped up by the Swinton Estate for the new role of general manager for the 20,000-acre North Yorkshire hotel. She told The Caterer that it is “especially rewarding to lead an estate so rooted in Yorkshire”. 

Lita appoints new culinary director  

Michelin-starred London restaurant Lita has appointed former Frantzén executive chef and Fat Duck alumni Kostas Papathanasiou as its new culinary director. Papathanasiou succeeds former head chef Luke Ahearne, who was at the helm when Lita was awarded its Michelin star last year. Ahearne stepped down to launch Italian restaurant Motorino alongside Stevie Parle in London’s Fitzrovia in September. 

Mollie’s snaps up new marketing chief from Third Space 

Mollie’s has appointed Jon Weston-Stanley, formerly of luxury health club group Third Space, as its new head of marketing. Weston-Stanley will be tasked with bolstering the budget-luxe chain’s marketing in the newly created role as it ramps up its expansion plans. Mollie’s operates sites in Bristol, Oxfordshire and Manchester and is set to open its fourth outpost in Edinburgh in 2028. 

Numa Group appoints new UK and Ireland boss 

Philip Lassman has been appointed managing director of hospitality platform Numa Group’s UK and Ireland operations. Lassman, who has previously held senior leadership roles at Accor and IHG Hotels & Resorts, will oversee both the Native by Numa and Numa brands in his new role. He succeeds Olivia Immesi, who stepped down from the business earlier this month after five years in post.