John Keating appointed as general manager at Fairmont St Andrews

15 July 2015 by Katey Pigden

John Keating has been appointed general manager at the Fairmont hotel in St Andrews after stepping down from the same role at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire.

Keating started his new position in Scotland last month, having been at Brocket Hall since March 2013.

The lease for the Brocket Hall estate, including the Auberge du Lac restaurant, is currently on the market for £10m, after operator Brocket Hall International (BHI) went into administration.

BHI called in AlixPartners on 31 March, after what the administrators called a "protracted period of poor trading" which led to financial difficulties for the business.

A spokesperson for AlixPartners said: "We can confirm that the general manager of Brocket Hall has departed to pursue new opportunities."

Keating's appointment at Fairmont hotel in St Andrews was confirmed by a spokesperson for the hotel.

The 209-bedroom Fairmont hotel was bought by property investor Kennedy Wilson Europe for £32.4m in 2014 from SABD Holding. Set within 520 acres of land, it is operated by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts under a management agreement running until 2031.

The 543-acre estate at Brocket Hall comprises a golf club centred around two courses, an 18th century stately home with meeting rooms, conference suite, dining rooms and 46 guest rooms, and Auberge du Lac. It is believed that a sale of the property, which is being handed by Knight Frank, is close to completion.

Brocket Hall for sale after administration >>

Fairmont hotel St Andrews sold for £32m >>

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