PEOPLE
salisburys chief takes top job at hilton national
JOHN Bamsey has taken on the new position of managing director of Hilton National, overseeing 23 branded and eight Hilton associate hotels in the UK.
Mr Bamsey has worked in a number of branded retail and service businesses, including Whitbread, where he became marketing director of Pizza Hut, then Beefeater.
He joins Hilton National from Signet Group, where he was managing director of Salisburys, the leather goods specialist.
As part of Hilton National's transformation into a separate management unit, Nick Smith, a former chief executive of Consort Hotels, has become director of sales. His last job was director of sales for Hilton International in Holland.
A director of public relations for Hilton National is also about to be announced.
new manager at Strand palace
PAUL Schnepper has taken up the job of general manager of Forte's 777-bedroom Strand Palace Hotel in London, replacing Leigh Smith.
Mr Schnepper was previously general manager of the company's 887-bedroom Regent Palace Hotel in London, just off Piccadilly.
Mr Smith is still with Forte, where he is said to be "considering his career development options".
barbour leads airport Revamp
DAVID Barbour is to oversee the completion of a multi-million pound refurbishment of the Forte Crest Glasgow Airport, following his appointment as general manager of the 300-bedroom property.
Mr Barbour, who was previously general manager of the Forte Crest Newcastle, will be assisted in the task by new operations manager Christopher Rawstron, who moves from the same position at the Forte Crest Exeter.
The hotel's refurbishment, to be carried out over the next 12-18 months, will include 200 bedrooms, the ground floor lobby and the restaurant and bar areas.
In addition, the main banqueting suite is to be converted into a purpose-built training academy with a health and leisure centre.
3c takes on two consultants
WARREN Elliott and David Lewis have joined Coverpoint Catering Consultancy (3C), based in Bray, Berkshire, as management consultants.
Mr Lewis, who is a specialist in catering and information technology, was previously assistant manager at the Shanklin Manor House Hotel, Isle of Wight, and worked for De Vere Hotels.
Mr Elliott, meanwhile, has joined the company after selling his own City-based commercial catering business called Chomper's. He previously worked in operations for TGI Friday's and Forte.
development boost for forte
FORTE has appointed Jochen Schaefer-Suren to the position of senior development director, reporting to group strategy director Bob Lienhard.
Mr Schaefer-Suren, who was previously vice-president of corporate development for Hilton International, will identify and analyse business development opportunities for Forte, initially in continental Europe.
In another move, Stuart May, managing director of Rank Hotels, has been recruited as managing director of Forte Heritage, responsible for 101 hotels.
ON THE MOVE
Derek Harvey to general manager of the Swallow Hotel, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, from the same position at the Swallow Hotel, Rushyford, County Durham.
Donald Munro to head chef at Ackergill Tower, Wick, Caithness, from development chef at Pacojet.
Nick Testa to deputy manager of the Royal York Hotel, York, from operations manager of the Manor House at Moretonhampstead, Devon.
Francesco Di Bari to restaurant manager at the Bath Spa Hotel, Bath, from manager of the Grill restaurant at the Windsor Hotel, Melbourne, Australia.
Sameh Sobhy to Middle Eastern sales manager at the Churchill Inter-Continental, London, from the Semiramis Inter-Continental, Cairo.
Mark Riches to key accounts manager at London-based Keystone Employment Consultants, from events manager at private caterer Mustard Catering.
Tony Mason and Sunny Stout have joined Haywards Heath-based marketing consultancy Abram Hawkes to launch a division specialising in marketing training for the hotel and catering industry.
Stephen Furby to managing director of RSVP, the corporate hospitality and events division of contract catering company Associated Catering Management Services (ACMS), from sales and marketing manager with ACMS.
Philip Hill to head chef of the French Brasserie, Altrincham, Cheshire, from head chef at David's Place, Knutsford, Cheshire.
Ken McGown to southern area manager for Littlejohn's Restaurants, from operations manager at the Stirling-based Castle Leisure Group.
