Two new general manager appointments for Puma Hotels

The Puma Hotels Collection has announced the appointment of two new general managers, at the Lygon Arms and Cheltenham Park hotels.

Anthony Thwaites joins the group of 21 four-star properties to head up the 77-bedroom Lygon Arms in Broadway, Worcestershire, which has recently undergone a restoration of the hotel's main house.

Meanwhile, Stephen Cotton has taken over the running of the 152-bedroom Cheltenham Park hotel, close to the centre of the Cotswold spa town.

Thwaites has almost 20 years' experience in the hospitality industry, having held managerial roles at Malmaison for the past 15 years, including most recently as general manager of its London hotel. He has also worked for Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Regents Park Hilton. During the 2012 Olympic Games, Thwaites deputy project managed the London media centre.

In his new role, his main focus will be to position the Lygon Arms at the heart of the local community in the Cotswolds and enhance the guest experience. One of his first projects will be encourage locals to visit the hotel for their Christmas events in order to raise money for children's charity Barnado's. The Lygon Arms has pledged to donate 50p for every guest who attends a Christmas party, as part of an initiative that has been rolled out across Puma Hotels.

Thwaites said: "I am thrilled to be joining the Lygon Arms at a time when Puma Hotels looks to return the hotel to its heritage and community roots, but also develop a truly exquisite hotel into a flagship property for the hotel's brand".

Cotton joins Cheltenham Park with over two decades' experience working within luxury hotels, including London's Goring Hotel and the Mercure Salisbury White Hart Hotel. Most recently, he was hotel director at Legoland Windsor Resort Hotel.

In his new role, Cotton will aim to ensure Cheltenham Park hotel is able to fully optimise its market, with a strong emphasis on the meetings and events sector.

He said that the hotel ideally placed for short holidays to Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds and offers superb facilities for meetings and social events. "I am looking forward to bringing my experience to the team and enhancing the offerings for both our leisure and corporate guests."

The appointments of Thwaites and Cotton have come soon after the arrival of Puma's new chief executive, Fredrik Korallus, who intends to reposition the portfolio of 21 hotels to accentuate their individuality and local appeal, with a view to drawing in more leisure customers.

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