Seasoned hotel industry professional Michael Halsall has joined Grace Hotels as its Director of Sales and Marketing with overall responsibility for the group’s international sales strategy, partnerships with tour operators and the travel trade, new markets and PR and Marketing. As Grace Hotels continues to expand, he will co-ordinate a global strategy for the portfolio across markets and continents.

Prior to joining Grace, Michael occupied a number of high-level executive roles in the UK and Australia. He spent four years with Rocco Forte’s The Balmoral in Edinburgh and formerly held Sales and Marketing roles with Pineapple Marketing (London), Compass Group (UK), Kraft Foods (Australia), Ian Schrager Hotels (London), Hyde Park Inter-Continental London and The Langham (London). He started his London career in Food and Beverage with The Savoy and holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Hotel Management from the University of Surrey.

Michael Halsall says: “Grace is an impressive boutique hotel brand that in a short space of time has developed an international presence and enviable reputation. I look forward to working with everyone in bringing the distinctive Grace experience of elegance and simplicity to more guests and new markets.”

“Michael is a great asset to the Grace team,” adds Philippe Requin, CEO of Grace Hotels Group. “The hospitality sector is experiencing a transformation in the way people interact with brands, hotels and destinations, and Michael will help us to stay ahead.”