Hotel management team ready for opening

150 150 Daniel Fountain
  • 0

The senior management team that will run the new 4-star 150-bedroom Drayton Manor Hotel, at Drayton Manor Theme Park, has been appointed and is all set for the opening on Monday 15th August.The team consists of Martin Wright, General Manager; Michelle Dean, Revenue Manager; Julia Freeman, Sales and Marketing Manager; Toni Higginbottom, Finance Manager; Stephanie Tandy, Human Resources Manager; Alan Bell, Head Chef; and Gerry Ross, Food and Beverage Operations Manager.

The hotel will have 11 Thomas & Friends™ themed family rooms, each one featuring Thomas & Friends decor and specially designed Thomas the Tank Engine bunk beds.

Guests will also be able to enjoy the two restaurants, Parklands Restaurant and Parklands Brassiere, as well as the two bars. Meanwhile, younger guests will love the indoor Thomas & Friends themed playroom.

Martin Wright, said: “I’m confident that we have a strong and capable management team, which will provide a first-class service from day one of the hotel’s opening.

“The Drayton Manor Hotel is a major multi-million pound investment for Drayton Manor Theme Park. The management team and I plan to ensure that this investment helps transform the park from a popular day out venue into a family holiday resort.

“The hotel will also be a venue for corporate hospitality events and private functions, which will complement Drayton Manor’s existing facilities.”

Staff Biographies
Michelle Dean has worked in the West Midlands hospitality industry for 19 years for the likes of Intercontinental Hotels, Holiday Inn, Park Inn and Radisson.

Julia Freeman began her hospitality career at the age of 16 working in a country B&B. Since then, she’s worked for a range of hotels including De Vere, IHG & Corus in various roles, such as conference and banqueting host, events sales manager, wedding co-ordinator and business development manager.

Toni Higginbottom has worked in finance for large hotels in the Peak District and most recently a new build hotel in Stevenage.

Stephanie Tandy gained CIPD membership in 1994. She spent the past 15 years working in London for the likes of Thistle Hotels, The Melia Group and the Firoka Group.

After starting his career as a trainee chef, Alan Bell worked his way up the hospitality ladder to cook for royalty, politicians and celebrities. In the past 25 years, Alan has worked for major hotel chains, including Hilton, Millennium Copthorne and De Vere.

Despite a degree in English & Education, Gerry Ross chose a career in hospitality, which has seen him operate a range of roles from head chef to restaurant manager.

Daniel Fountain / 31.07.2011

Editor, Hotel Designs

Share

  • 0

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.