Gleneagles appoints three senior staff members

Gleneagles has signed up three key members of staff, to build on its success and further enhance the guest experience – as part of new owner Ennismore’s multi-million-pound investment and development programme across the hotel.

The iconic Perthshire hotel has appointed Conor O’Leary – formerly Director of Food & Beverage at the five-star Grand Hyatt in Dubai – to the role of Hotel Manager, with chief responsibility for all food and beverage operations across the hotel and estate.

O’Leary, who brings 20 years’ experience in the field and had responsibility for 14 restaurants and bars at the Hyatt group’s largest global food and beverage operation, has been tasked with further enhancing Gleneagles’ guest offering across four dining venues and three bars.

O’Leary is inheriting the reins at the five-star property from current Director of Food & Beverage, AlaFn Hill – whose outstanding efforts over the past 27 years have been pivotal to establishing Gleneagles’ reputation as a globally-renowned hotel with an exceptional culinary offering.

O’Leary is joined by Warren Brown, who has taken up the post of Gleneagles’ Executive Chef, following roles as Executive Chef at the Hilton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur; at the Shangri-La in Manila; and at the St Regis, Shanghai.

Brown – who holds responsibility for Gleneagles’ four head chefs and kitchen teams – has been tasked with expanding the breadth and scope of the hotel’s culinary offering, whilst maintaining the hotel’s philosophy of using the best locally-sourced and seasonal produce.

The trio of new senior appointments is made up by Colin Farndon – previously Spa Director at Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel & Spa, Cumbria – who has taken up the new position of Gleneagles’ Director of Leisure.

Farndon will implement a new leisure strategy, to maximise opportunities for guests to enjoy leisure activities on the 850-acre estate, including shooting and archery, falconry, fishing, gundog training, tennis and off-road driving.

Paul Heery, Gleneagles’ General Manager, said, “This is a tremendously exciting time for Gleneagles, with our investment programme already well underway, and these three roles will be critical to the business – ensuring we build on our existing success and forge new opportunities to strengthen our position as one of the leading hotels of the world.”