Hand Picked Hotels, the family-owned collection of 21 luxury country house hotels and spa resorts across the UK and the Channel Islands, has announced the appointment of Olivia Peach as General Manager of New Hall Hotel & Spa in Sutton Coldfield.
This appointment is the culmination of nearly two decades of progressive career development for Olivia, who began her journey within the group as a spa therapist at New Hall in 2006, aged just 18. Her return to lead the property as General Manager represents not only a personal milestone but also a broader testament to Hand Picked Hotels’ long-term investment in nurturing internal talent within the hospitality sector.
Built in the 13th century by the Earl of Warwick, New Hall is widely recognised as England’s oldest listed inhabited moated house. Once built to provide protection in medieval times, the moat is now fed by seven springs, and is lily dappled and tranquil with pond creatures. The hotel’s secluded gardens are enchanting, and 60 bedrooms, including luxury suites featuring antique furnishings, are on offer for guests to experience.
Olivia’s career path has taken her across several of the group’s award-winning hotels, including Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa in Cheshire, L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa in Jersey, and St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in Guernsey. Her leadership credentials were further honed when she took on the role of Health Club and Spa Manager at New Hall—a position she describes as “running a hotel within a hotel” due to the operational complexity and high guest expectations.
Following a successful period in that role, Olivia was appointed Interim Hotel Manager at Stanbrook Abbey in Worcester in 2023, before returning to New Hall as Deputy General Manager, ultimately taking on full leadership as General Manager in mid-2025.
In her time back at New Hall, Olivia has already delivered strong results. A recent collaboration with Charlotte Tilbury, featuring a rosé champagne afternoon tea, live beauty masterclass, and exclusive pop-up retail experience, saw significant guest engagement and incremental F&B revenue. Future collaborations are already in discussion, including a potential lifestyle partnership with Jo Malone London, aligning with Olivia’s vision of experience-driven luxury that goes beyond the traditional guest stay.
As the UK hospitality industry continues to face challenges in talent retention and recruitment post-Brexit and post-pandemic, Olivia is passionate about changing perceptions around careers in hospitality, particularly in high-end and heritage-led segments.
“Developing and retaining talent is one of our industry’s biggest challenges, but also its greatest opportunity,” says Olivia. “Hand Picked Hotels gave me the platform to build a meaningful career from the ground up. Becoming General Manager at New Hall is a full-circle moment, and a powerful reminder of what’s possible when businesses invest in their people. I’m committed to challenging the traditional mould of leadership and creating a culture that champions wellbeing, celebrates individuality, and opens doors for the next generation of hospitality professionals.”
Julia Hands Chairman of Hand Picked Hotels, comments: “We are incredibly proud to appoint Olivia Peach as General Manager of New Hall Hotel & Spa. Her journey from a part-time therapist to a senior leadership role is not only inspiring; it exemplifies our long-standing belief in promoting talent from within. Olivia has developed her career across multiple properties in our collection, gaining a deep understanding of our guest experience, team culture, and operational standards. She embodies the values we look for in a leader: dedication, curiosity, and a people-first mindset. Her appointment reflects our commitment to building long-term careers and investing in future leaders who understand our brand from the inside out.
Olivia’s appointment reflects Hand Picked Hotels’ continued investment in progressive leadership—where nurturing internal talent and delivering authentic, experience-led luxury go hand in hand to create truly memorable stays.
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