People

The Country Club Hotel Group (CCH), which includes Travel Inn, has hired one of the people responsible for developing Forte Travelodge's Roomline reservations system to run its own system.

Nasir Kassum, who was also part of the Fortres II project team, has been appointed director of reservations at the group, at a time when CCH is investing £2.5m in a computerisation project called Rapier.

The first phase, the computerisation of the central reservations office, is complete, and phase two - the introduction of a new property management system in all hotels - is now under way. Phase three will create an interface to link the hotels to the computer reservation system.

Baker to succeed wragg at Chester

Phillip Baker has been picked by Queens Moat Houses to step into the shoes of Bruce Wragg as general manager of the 150-bedroom Chester International hotel.

Mr Baker is currently general manager at the 143-bedroom Stoke-on-Trent Moat House, which he joined in January 1991 prior to its opening that summer.

Mr Wragg, who was at the Chester International for seven years, has become general manager of the hotel operations at Carden Park, John Broome's £20m Cheshire sports and leisure resort.

MILLS TAKES BIGGER ROLE AT OMNI

IAN Mills has replaced Ray Bigger as regional director of sales for Omni Hotels Asia-Pacific, based in London.

Mr Mills, whose predecessor has been promoted to vice-president of sales and marketing, was previously director of sales for Four Seasons/Regent Hotels & Resorts in the UK.

Croft named chef at oakley court

Michael Croft has been named executive head chef at Oakley Court hotel in Windsor, following the departure of Murdo MacSween to run his own hotel and restaurant in nearby Maidenhead.

Mr Croft was previously head chef at London's Mirabelle restaurant. He also spent seven years as executive head chef at Bath's Royal Crescent hotel, and two years as premier sous chef at the Ritz.

Hill heads new taylors division

Richard Hill has left property agent Christie & Co after 10 years to set up a hotel sales division at Milton Keynes-based Taylors Business Surveyors & Valuers.

As part of his new role, Mr Hill, whose most recent job was director of Christie & Co's Leeds office, will be launching a confidential service that matches vendors with prospective purchasers.

Bateman promotes two at ashdown

Graeme Bateman, general manager of Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex, which opened last October, has made two promotions at senior management level.

Food and beverage services manager Terry Welsh has been named deputy manager, while Alan Shipway has been promoted from assistant restaurant manager to restaurant manager.