Iain Shelton
Iain has worked in the hospitality industry since 1989 and brings extensive managerial and consultancy expertise. Prior to establishing Premier Cru Hotels & Inns with Gareth Pugh, Iain was managing director of Bespoke Hotels, running a portfolio of properties with a turnover in excess of £16 million. As a general manager, he has run both independent country house properties and major group hotels.
Premier Cru Hotels & Inns – Partner of a collection of hotels and inns that are either owned, managed under contract or on a marketing agreement with our company. This emerging group has a common thread of great food and beverage along with a high quality of accommodation products and service.
Bespoke Hotels – Managing Director of an eclectic group of hotels with a turnover in excess of £16 million. The portfolio consisted of properties operating within the corporate / conference market, country house hotels positioned in a strong leisure segment and four star hotels in the expanding boutique sector, as well as a private members club in London .
Hand Picked Hotels – Group General Manager, as part of the HPH team Iain was involved in helping reposition the hotel group by addressing areas such as brand value and standards. Based out of Crathorne Hall in North Yorkshire we were able to lead from the front by being the first hotel in the group to achieve the bench-mark of an AA Top 200 hotel. Whilst standards were important it was also necessary to drive sales by increasing the wedding and corporate business, which was achieved as an individual property and also across the group.
Lords of the Manor & Feathers Hotel – General Manager. During the time spent at these hotels a team was developed that won many awards for both the service and food. These helped achieve a strong market presence and became well known for the quality it offered. Continually improved sales and profits enabled the further purchase and refurbishment of the hotels. Responsibility for both the day-to-day and strategic management of these properties was on behalf of the oversee owners.
Forte Hotels - Bath Spa Hotel – Operations Manager responsible for the hotel on a daily basis reporting to the Area General Manager. As the flagship, out of London property, it was at the forefront of the re-branding and development during and after the Forte / Granada takeover.
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