Appointment of Robert Cook is "coup" for Macdonald Hotels

Robert Cook, who previously headed up hotels for Malmaison, Hotel du Vin and De Vere, has been appointed commercial director of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.

Group chairman Donald Macdonald, who added the responsibility of chief executive to his role last year following the departure of David Guile, said Cook's appointment was "a significant coup" for the company.

Overseeing the group's food and beverage, leisure, spa and golf offers, Cook will report to Donald Macdonald will work alongside deputy chairman and finance director Gordon Fraser and deputy chief executive Ruaridh Macdonald. He will also contribute as a board member to the overall strategy of the group.

Cook's new role will reunite him with Keith Shearer who was appointed group executive chef of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts two months ago. Cook and Shearer previously worked together at Malmaison and Hotel du Vin and then later at De Vere Hotels and De Vere Village Urban Resorts, where they both joined in 2012. They were among four executives who made redundant in March 2014 prior to the sale of the De Vere portfolio.

Cook has recently been working in a consultancy capacity with Macdonald Hotels, which has over 50 properties in the UK, Spain and Portugal, in the run up to the confirmation of permanent role.

"From the last few months working with the team here, it's abundantly clear that the culture of the group is a very special one, where quality, teamwork and customer service are integral to the considerable success the business has already enjoyed," he said.

"I firmly believe that the business has enormous potential for future growth, thanks not only to its superb assets, but also to the enthusiasm and ambition of the many, many talented people I've encountered at all levels of the company."

Donald Macdonald said that Cook shares the board's excitement and ambition for the group's future plans.

"He has quickly established very strong relationships with our senior management team and his insight, vision and experience are already paying dividends as we focus on an ambitious programme of future growth.

"Having recently agreed the sale of land at our Botley Park hotel in Southampton for just under £60m, with hotel operating profits up £4.3m last year and with our first quarter this year already £1.4m ahead of forecast, we've built up a very strong market position and are currently examining a range of new and exciting opportunities which will continue our upwards growth trend."

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