FEATURES

Five new stars for the Crowne Plaza Manchester

28 August

The management team is now in place at the Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre, Manchester’s newest hotel – putting it on track for next week’s opening on 1 September. Five new members of staff have joined general manager Bob Fairweather, who between them have more than 40 years’ experience in the hospitality sector.

Robin Ford, 26, has been appointed operations manager, having spent time as rooms division manager for the Crowne Plaza Dublin – Northwood and the Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport.

Financial controller Umar Farooq, 30, joins the Crowne Plaza from the Manchester Airport Marriot Hotel, where he held the position of finance manager for 18 months.

Hayley Peck, 24, joins the team as revenue manager. Prior to this she spent three years at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Manchester, where she held the position of reservations manager.

Anthony Wilkinson, 30, human resources manager, joins the Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre from the Hilton Hotel Corporation, where he spent two years as assistant human resources manager and nine months as acting human resources director.

Alan Davies, 47, has been brought in as chief engineer and joins the hotel from Manchester’s Lowry where he was responsible for a £1.5m engineering budget.

Bob Fairweather said: ‘I am absolutely delighted with the appointment of my management team, who wholeheartedly share my passion for hospitality and commitment to customer service.

‘With the team on board and the building work almost complete, we now look forward to welcoming our first customers.’

Aimed at the increasing number of corporate and leisure travellers coming to the city, the 10-floor hotel on Shudehill boasts 228 contemporary bedrooms. Those looking for a little extra luxury and exclusive lounge access can head up to the top floor where they will find 24 Club bedrooms and a Plaza Suite.

The hotel will also contain a destination restaurant serving fresh, locally sourced food. Businesses, meanwhile, will be able to make use of nine conference rooms, one of which will accommodate up to 300 delegates in theatre-style seating and 200 for banqueting.

The Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre is operated by Liverpool-based hotel developer Centre Island, and can be found on the web at www.cpmanchester.com.

Pictured:

Bob Fairweather, general manager of the new Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre, introduces his team