Marc Mac Closkey appointed MD of Taunton's Castle hotel

Marc Mac Closkey (left) with Nick Chapman

Marc Mac Closkey, general manager of the 44-bedroom Castle hotel in Taunton, Somerset, has been promoted to managing director of the company.

An Irishman and graduate of University College Dublin, Mac Closkey spent his early career with Hyatt International, Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, working in Dublin, Istanbul, Honolulu, San Diego, Montreux and Nevis.

Mac Closkey joined the Castle in 2012 from the 50-bedroom Lisloughrey Lodge in Cong, County Mayo. A year later he was appointed to the board of the Castle, which has been owned by the Chapman family for nearly 66 years.

In his new role, Mac Closkey will be responsible for running the family-owned hotel, which incorporates two restaurants, and two outside catering ventures at the Museum of Somerset and Taunton Library, as well as driving the company's future growth and development.

Nick Chapman, chairman of the Castle hotel, said that Mac Closkey's appointment as managing director recognised his skills as a hotelkeeper. "He is a wonderful smiling and welcoming host, but he also has a sharp professional eye for managing the complexities of this business. We are all thrilled."

His father, Kit Chapman, who stepped down as chairman in 2014, added: "Marc cares passionately about both our guests and staff. He has bags of natural charm and is very hands-on as well as understanding the nuts and bolts of managing a successful hotel.

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