Hotel chain Rocco Forte has developed its team by appointing Mark Allvey as Global Sales Director. Allvey will be based in the hotelier's head office in London. The company has also appointed Gregory Bradelle as director of sales and marketing for the Le Richemond property in Geneva.
Allvey's newly created role is to develop international sales networks and provide leadership for sales professionals within each hotel. Prior to that he was at One&Only resorts, where he was vice president of sales for two years, and Morgans Hotel Group, where he was regional sales director, looking after London properties.
Gregory, who held the role of international sales director for six months while a permanent replacement was found, has been promoted to the role of director of sales & marketing for Rocco Forte”s Le Richemond, having been assistant director of sales & marketing at Rocco Forte”s Hotel de Russie in Rome.
Le Richemond will re-open in May 2007 following an extensive 18-month renovation.
Murray Thomson has been appointed to the newly-created position of brand conference & incentive director. Previously Rocco Forte Hotels” UK sales & marketing director, Murray will now be responsible for the development and expansion of the conference and incentive business across the brand.
Murray Thomson joined the company in 1997 and previously occupied the role of director of sales & marketing at both Rocco Forte”s The Balmoral and The Lowry Hotel.
The company said: ”Rocco Forte Hotels has created the new role following a significant increase in conference and incentive business; this sector now accounts for nearly 20% of the collection”s annual turnover”.
The company has also opened its latest property Hotel de Rome in Berlin earlier this month.
Meanwhile, building works have begun to the hotel group”s property in Prague. The new five-star hotel, which has yet to be named, is being converted from the St Thomas” monastery. It will connect the monastery, its brewery and outhouses to create a 100-bedroom, luxury hotel.
A company spokesperson said: ”With a history dating to 1285, this will be a highly sensitive conversion, retaining and incorporating the building”s unique architectural idiosyncrasies”.
A spa and fitness centre will be located in the basement, and a function room will be created out of the grotto that was previously part of the Wallenstein Garden. The ground floor will house a large reception hall, restaurant, bar, tea room, private dining room and conference rooms. The property”s upper floors will comprise 71 rooms and 29 suites, including one Presidential Suite.