Watergate Bay Hotel has announced a new senior team operating across all its businesses dedicated to the next phase of growth.
The freshly formed team which leads Watergate Bay Hotel, the Another Place hotel collection and Beach Retreats sees Will Ashworth move to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ben Harper is Managing Director; Judi Blakeburn Brand Director, and Natalie Poole, formerly Soho House Group, is newly appointed Finance Director.
Will Ashworth remains responsible for the overall development and ongoing expansion. Ben Harper is driving the strategic direction and running of the businesses; Judi Blakeburn has responsibility for brand strategy, marketing and guest experience; Natalie Poole oversees finance and strategy.
Collaborating closely, but each with dedicated remits based on their specialisms, the new senior team will be actively seeking opportunities for growth across all three businesses in 2020.
Watergate Bay Hotel employs 250 full-time employees, turning over £11 million and has occupancy rates of 92%.
In 2017, Watergate Bay Hotel launched the Another Place hotel collection, with Another Place, The Lake on the shores of Ullswater.
Alongside the hotels, Beach Retreats is an award-winning marketing, letting and holiday property management company, which has seen consistent double-digit growth since its launch in 2006 and has just announced record bookings for 2020. It now has over 170 properties. Andrew Easton continues as Beach Retreats Managing Director.
Owned and driven by the Ashworth family for over 50 years, Watergate Bay Hotel and its businesses have developed into a unique portfolio with a distinct approach to hospitality and a strong brand ethos. The leadership team will continue to build on the reputation and achievements of the Ashworths, exploring new ways to offer ‘active relaxation’ to its guests, across the country, year-round.
Will Ashworth comments: “As we look to the future, it’s vital we have the best people in place to take our businesses forward. I’m excited by the senior team we’ve created and the potential that together we see for the future. It’s been an incredible journey so far and we’re set to build on what’s been achieved to make the next few years more incredible still.”
Ben Harper comments: “The senior team brings with it exactly the breadth of experience, insights and specialisms we need to take us forward into its next phase of significant growth. It’s a team that will enable us to focus on what’s ahead while also continuing to do the great work at Watergate Bay and across our businesses, building our offer and brand to ensure every guest experiences just what active relaxation is all about.”
