Two new appointments to form power team at Holiday Inn Newcastle-Jesmond

CAIRN Group-owned Holiday Inn Newcastle-Jesmond has welcomed two new faces who will be partnering up to promote and manage the hotel and its new offerings over the coming months, whilst forging strong links with local businesses.

Conference & events sales manager Ashley Small and sales manager Madeleine Griffith have joined the 85-strong team at the popular hotel, which is one of 26 sites operated by Newcastle-based Cairn Group, with both having worked together previously.

Ashley formerly held roles at Accommodations UK and, more recently, Lumley Castle. She will be largely responsible for leading on telephone sales, as well as helping to drive wedding bookings at the venue.

She will be working closely with new sales manager, Madeleine Griffith, whose background is in business development and communications. Madeleine previously worked with Ashley at Accommodations UK for three years.

Newcastle-born Ashley said: “This is a really great move for me – not only is the Holiday Inn a brand I admire and the Cairn Group a homegrown business; my most immediate team member and I have a ready-made, mutual respect for each other’s skills which I think stands us both in excellent stead for working together again.”

Madeleine, who is from Sandyford, said: “This new role consolidates a lot of what I’ve learned throughout my career to date whilst presenting fantastic new opportunities. Day-to-day I’ll be meeting with and getting to know current clients, as well as building up the hotel’s network of new contacts in the region and further afield.

“I’ll also be introducing a number of new initiatives to the hotel’s offering for our clients, such as theatre packages and Friday lunchtime openings in our restaurant, Fratello’s. I have lots planned and with Ashley and the wider team’s support I’m looking forward to making it all happen.

“I genuinely love this hotel, having stayed here previously as a guest, so to be working closely with Ashley again makes this the perfect position for me. I thrive on getting out and about and meeting people whilst she’s incredibly efficient at detail and meticulous customer service.”

Ashley and Madeleine will be based at Holiday Inn Newcastle-Jesmond but they will also be responsible for promoting different offerings within the Cairn Group portfolio, with Madeleine heading up sales for serviced apartments, 91 Aparthotel Jesmond Road – a home-from-home for professionals looking for long stay accommodation or the weekend leisure market, adjacent to the Holiday Inn.

Alice NG, general manager at the Holiday Inn Newcastle-Jesmond, said: “Our salespeople are key to our business – it’s a competitive but exciting time for hoteliers in the city, which is why it’s important we have the very best staff on the front line.

“Having Ashley and Madeleine working together as a team will be a real added strength to the business. They are both from the area so they know the Group brand well and have excellent contacts, which they are keen to develop in their new roles.”

Holiday Inn Newcastle-Jesmond boasts Fratello’s Italian Restaurant and a large bar in addition to 116 modern rooms. Conference suites with state-of-the-art facilities are also available, and the hotel offers both corporate and wedding packages.

16 stylish apartments and studios make up 91 Aparthotel Jesmond Road and both venues are located a stone’s throw from Jesmond’s lively drinking and dining scene, with Newcastle city centre only a short walk or Metro ride away.

For more information on Holiday Inn Newcastle-Jesmond visithttp://www.hinewcastle.co.uk, or call 0191 281 5511. For more information on 91 Aparthotel visit http://www.91aparthoteljesmondroad.co.uk or call 0191 212 5159.