Blakes appoints former Chiltern Firehouse FOH director as GM
Blakes hotel has appointed former Chiltern Firehouse front of house director Ian Telford as general manager.
Telford is now overseeing all operations at the Anouska Hempel-designed South Kensington establishment in west London, including the recently relaunched Blakes restaurant and the forthcoming Blakes Below bar launch.
He was most recently part of the opening team of Andre Balazs' Chiltern Firehouse, where he is attributed as playing a crucial strategic role in its success.
Bringing over 30 years' experience in the travel and hospitality industry to the role, Telford has previous experience at Morgans Hotel Group, playing pivotal roles at the Sanderson hotel and St Martins Lane hotel, which led to his appointment as global director of guest experience for the whole group.
In his earlier career Telford built a strong operational background in the food and beverage sectors across the UK, which led him to decide to establish his position in the luxury hospitality sector in some of London's top properties.
As general manager, Telford will be expected to maintain the individual style of all 45 designed rooms on the property, while overseeing the hotel's restaurant and bar.
Telford said: "I am very excited to be joining the team at Blakes; a hotel I have always loved since I began my London hotel career. We hope to bring back the good old days that Lady Weinberg herself would be proud of. With the new restaurant, Blakes Below, the new garden designed by Matthew Williamson and a room refurbishment programme, exciting and fun times lie ahead."
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