Claire Gamble appointed group director of sales at Dakota Hotels

Dakota Hotels has announced the appointment of Claire Gamble to the role of group director of sales.

The appointment sees Gamble take responsibility for the sales and business development of the UK-based hotel lifestyle brand. The group of five locations offer luxury accommodation, a brasserie-style grill, private dining and upscale cocktail bars.

Gamble's previous role was as director of sales for entertainment and media at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), having joined the company with its acquisition of the Principal hotel group, where she had held the same role since 2016.

In her previous role she was responsible for launching the Principal brand to an extensive client base of agencies including celebrities, bands, comedians and film and TV professionals and, most recently, launching the Kimpton brand in the UK.

Gamble has also held similar roles with Malmaison and Hotel du Vin hotels and at the Columbus hotel in Monaco.

Andrew Ovenstone, group operations director for Dakota Hotels, said "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Claire to the Dakota team. She is a natural fit for Dakota's dynamic culture. We are excited about the role, and especially about the individual. Claire brings a wealth of sales experience and will play a key role in our ambitious plans."

Dakota Hotels is a partnership between former Hotelier of the Year Ken McCulloch and the Leeds-based Evans Property Group. The business currently has hotels in Edinburgh, Glasgow city centre, Leeds, Manchester and Dakota Eurocentral, 12 miles south east of Glasgow, and is looking to acquire sites in priority locations across the UK and beyond.

Ken McCulloch was named Hotelier of the Year in 1993 for his creation of One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow. The following year he launched the Malmaison brand, which he went on to sell 10 years later. Last year he received the Special Award at the Cateys for his contributions to the UK hotel industry.