A leading North East hotel has completed a programme of planned re-structuring with the appointment of a new events manager.
The Best Western Roker Hotel, Sunderland, has recruited Helena Ganley to oversee all private and corporate events held in the venue’s two function suites, including weddings, charity fundraisers and awards dinners.
The 28 year-old, who has more than eight years’ experience in events and hospitality, originally trained at Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle and was recently employed at the five-star Rockliffe Hall Hotel near Darlington.
She said: “I was born and bred in Sunderland and the Roker Hotel has always been somewhere I’ve visited and admired. I’m delighted to now be a part of this historic venue and look forward to working in partnership with the team here to bring a wide range of event ideas to life.”
Helena is the latest in a series of high profile appointments made by Tavistock Hospitality Ltd, as part of a year-long programme of development and re-structuring at the Best Western Roker Hotel, overlooking Roker seafront.
Other recent additions to the team include Reception Manager Robert Atkins and Food and Beverage Manager, Adam Johnson, who is now responsible for managing the hotel’s vast catering operation, including its tearoom and cakery, Lets Be Crumbs, and the Italian Farmhouse restaurant.
Adam, from South Shields, will be aided in his role by an experienced group of senior and support staff, including recently appointed Adalberto Velasco, who is now Restaurant Manager of the hotel’s Italian Farmhouse.
Helena, Robert, Adam and Adalberto all report to the best Western Roker Hotel’s General Manager, Nuno de Franciso, who was appointed earlier this year.
Nuno, who is originally from Portugal, has almost 30 years’ experience in the catering and hospitality trade, with roles in a wide range of prestigious organisations, including Bespoke Hotels, Novotel and Ritz Intercontinental.
He said: “The Best Western Roker Hotel is a fantastic property, boasting a spectacular seafront location and a wide range of internal facilities catering for all manner of corporate and leisure guests.
“The management team that has been put in place here over the last 12 months is testament to Tavistock Hospitality Ltd’s dedication to building this even further in the coming years and Helena is a fantastic addition.”
The Best Western Roker Hotel, which was originally designed by renowned architect John Dobson in 1842, currently houses 43 en-suite bedrooms, along with two function suites, the tearoom and cakery, Italian restaurant and a separate bar.
For more information visit www.rokerhotel.co.uk or call 0191 567 1786.