von Essen hotels has today confirmed three high-profile management appointments, as well as the company’s occupation of a new London office, located at its recently acquired Heliport House Offices and Conference Centre in Battersea. Taken together, the new senior directors and London base represent a significant stage in the company’s growth, both in the UK and on the Continent.

- Mike Eldridge has been appointed Property Director, a newly created role that will involve the assessment of new and proposed additions to the von Essen portfolio, primarily to oversee the extensive multi-million pound capital investment programme for von Essen. His appointment coincides with the recent acquisition of Hunstrete House in Bath and Chateau de Bagnols in France, as well as the purchase of Battersea heliport. The latter acquisition included Heliport House where Mike will be based with Creative Director Andrew Onraet and other members of the von Essen corporate team. Mike joins von Essen from HSBC, where he spent 38 years in senior managerial roles. As one of his key clients at HSBC, Mike has taken an active role in von Essen’s expansion over the last five years, including the building of the Bath House Spa at New Park Manor in 2005.

- A second newly-created role - Estates and Acquisitions Director - has been filled by Martin Rogers, former partner at Knight Frank, where he was Head of the Hotels and Leisure Division and was active in the purchase of most of von Essen’s existing portfolio of hotels. Martin will now play a key dual role in the acquisition of additional hotels in the UK, France and Italy, and overseeing the estate management of the von Essen Hotels portfolio.

- In addition, Jayne Davis has been appointed Purchasing Director for von Essen Hotels, responsible for procurem ent of best practice luxury products, food and beverages across the von Essen Hotels Collection. Her 17-year career in purchasing has included roles at Thistle Hotels, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts and most recently, Paramount Hotels.

Commenting, Andrew Davis, Founder and Executive Chairman said, “von Essen is well placed to continue its exceptional growth over the next three years with proposed new properties both in the capital and on the Continent, so I am delighted to welcome these key new personnel to my management team. They will help ensure the continued development of our present Collection of hotels, placing quality at the centre of all we do as the spa and other leisure facilities we offer to our guests expand, and also assist me in growing the Collection in Europe and expanding the synergies with our aviation business. von Essen is an evolving, multi-faceted company that is expanding in many areas, and these appointments are a sign of that maturi ty.”
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