Newly Appointed General Manager to Take on Liverpool’s Competitive Hotel Industry

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Thistle Hotels has recently announced the appointment of Alistair Risk as General Manager of The Atlantic Tower hotel. In this role, he will oversee the day-to-day management of the hotel and its staff and will be responsible for raising its profile as one of Liverpool’s leading hotels. Risk brings a wealth of experience to the role, built up over the 25 years he has worked in the hospitality industry. He developed a passion for the industry having grown up watching his father run various hotels – with an 11 year stint working for Thistle – and helping him out after school and at the weekends. He knew that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, so after leaving college he went on to do a HND in Hospitality Management.

After completing his HND, Risk began his hotel career as Food & Beverage Manager with the Forte Hotel Group in Edinburgh before going on to take up a number of senior roles, including Personnel and Training Manager, and Operations Manager. Most recently, he spent five years in Northern Ireland as General Manager of the Holiday Inn in Belfast City Centre.

Commenting on his move, Alistair Risk said: “I’ve got the pleasure of working with a fantastic team at The Atlantic Tower and each member of staff has a passion for hospitality that is truly refreshing. Already in the top five hotels within the Thistle portfolio, I’m looking forward to continuing to raise its profile within the group and making it a star performer.”

Simon Farr, Thistle Operations Director, Thistle Hotels, comments: “It’s not been an easy time for hoteliers in Liverpool since becoming the European City of Culture in 2008, as a number of hotels have since opened across the city making it a fiercely competitive market. With The Atlantic Tower’s recent £4.5million refurbishment and the wealth of experience Alistair has to offer, we’re in a great position to further raise its profile as one of the best hotels in Liverpool.”

Risk lives in Liverpool and will be joined by his wife and two children this summer as they make the move over from Belfast.

Daniel Fountain / 04.06.2011

Editor, Hotel Designs

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