Brit List 2017 Hoteliers Profiles

Brit List 2017
1000 585 Daniel Fountain
  • 0

In the coming weeks, Hotel Designs will be profiling the 50 finalists in the HD Brit List 2017 – this week, we continue with five more of the top 25 hoteliers…

OLIVER HEYWOOD – FLAT CAP HOTELS
With a family history steeped in hospitality, Oliver (alongside his brother Dominic) was in prime position to make his mark in the industry. And since 2015’s launch of The Vicarage Freehouse & Rooms, the north western-based and brilliantly-named Flat Cap Hotels hasn’t looked back.

The brand’s concept built around unique hotel accommodation, food-led experiences in stunning locales has proven to be a winner, thanks to the vision of Oliver and his team. With plans to expand quickly by 2019, we have a feeling Oliver and Flat Cap Hotels will be a force to be reckoned with for a while yet.

CHRIS HURST – HAMBLETON HALL
Chris Hurst has been general manager at Hambleton Hall since 2003, and under his guidance, this Rutland gem has continued to be named amongst the finest hotels in the UK. Bought originally by Tim and Stefa Hart in 1979, the couple are still involved with the hotel and its interior design and are still at the heart of everything the hotel stands for.

Chris’ longevity at the property is shared with several other members of the senior staff, something that has contributed to the success of the hotel for nearly 40 years.

OLIVIA IMMESI – ACE HOTEL SHOREDITCH
The Ace concept was born in a hip neighbourhood of Seattle, soon spread to New York and Los Angeles, and the grittiness of east London has been the perfect location for it here in London.

Olivia, having served in the commercial side for another of the city’s coolest properties (The Hoxton), has been general manager at the capital’s next up-and-coming, trendy hangout for only a few months, managing to maintain the brand’s concept, ensure excellent service standards but without overplaying the ‘boutique clichés’.

PJ KENNY – THE HOXTON HOLBORN
Few names in the hospitality industry strike up the ‘visual imagery’ of The Hoxton – it has been one of the big success stories in the boutique sector of the last decade. The roaring success of the Shoreditch property led to the opening of a Holborn property, of which PJ Kenny has been manager since 2016.

He has more than a decade of experience as hotel manager across brands such as Jurys Inn and Hilton Worldwide and brings his skills of people management and guiding new-builds through the early years to this most exciting of boutique hotel projects.

JAN-PAUL KROESE – BELMOND LE MANOIR AUX QUAT’SAISONS
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is synonymous with luxury hospitality and some might have argued that following Philip Newman-Hall’s departure, Jan-Paul had big shoes to fill. That Le Manoir continues to be held in such sway internationally for its culinary and hospitality excellence, shows just how well Jan-Paul has settled in.

Jan-Paul’s international experience over 25 years across four continents coupled with his approach to staff management, sustainable practice and technology in hospitality has seen this already-world-class establishment maintain its lofty position as one of the world’s best.

Daniel Fountain / 28.07.2017

Editor, Hotel Designs

Share

  • 0

You might also like

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.