A new North East hotel, which is due to open in the spring, has made its first major appointment.
Catherine Graham, from Sunderland, has been named as Director of Sales for the city’s Hilton Garden Inn.
The 141-bed property, which is expected to launch in April 2016, is currently under construction close to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and will feature a destination grill restaurant, private dining areas, meeting rooms and a 24-hour business centre.
Catherine, 44, is the first key staff member to be announced by the hotel’s operator, STC Hotels, and brings more than 20 years’ experience to her new role.
This includes nine years as Account Manager for Hilton Hotels Worldwide, time as Regional Sales Manager for Warner Leisure Hotels, and most recently, three years as Sales Director at DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle
She has now been tasked with marketing the new Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland to both leisure and business customers and raising its profile in advance of the opening and beyond.
“The Hilton Garden Inn is a major development for Sunderland and the wider North East,” said Catherine. “I have a great deal of experience with various brands in the Hilton family, including the Doubletree at Newcastle Airport, which I helped to launch and I’m really looking forward to this new challenge.”