Peter Banks joins Brook Group as strategy consultant

Peter Banks, former managing director of Rudding Park in Harrogate, has joined leisure and development company the Brook Group to assist with the estate’s growth strategy.

In his role as strategy and development consultant, the Outstanding Contribution Award winner at the 2024 Hotel Cateys will support the business as it looks to strengthen its retreat offering.

Over the past two years, the Brook Group has acquired three hotels – Aysgarth Falls hotel in North Yorkshire, the Priest House hotel in Leicestershire and Rheola Park in the Neath Valley in South Wales – which it plans to upgrade through numerous refurbishments.

It has already secured planning permission for 14 garden suites at Aysgarth Falls and change of use for 16 luxury holiday lodges on the Woodlands Development within the Priest House estate.

The group also previously owned the Brooklands hotel in Barnsley before completing a sale of the business in 2008.

Jason Brook, chief executive of the Brook Group, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Peter as we reposition the company and begin the development of our new acquisitions. He brings with him a vast amount of experience which will help shape our plans for the future.

“Peter’s successes throughout his career, along with his industry knowledge, will only strengthen our existing team and well position us for the next phase of growth.”

Banks added: “I am delighted to be working with Jason and the team at the Brook Group as they reposition their leisure business; the properties we are working on have huge potential to provide outstanding facilities in some stunning locations. The successes (and failures) I have experienced over the past 30 plus years position me well to advise and support the team through this exciting time.”

Banks previously led the team at Rudding Park in Harrogate since its opening in 1997, growing the business from 15 employees and a turnover of £1.5m to 320 employees and a turnover of £28m.

The Brook Group was founded in 1991 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, specialising in property development and regeneration projects around the UK.