Elite Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Brown as General Manager of Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club. Jonathan brings over 20 years of hospitality leadership, including roles at esteemed institutions such as the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall and their country club estate, Woodcote Park, as well as Luton Hoo, offering depth of experience and a proven dedication to luxury service.
Commenting on the appointment, Elite Hotels’ Managing Director, Graeme Bateman, says, “It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Jonathan Brown as General Manager of Ashdown Park Hotel and to welcome him back to the Elite Hotels family. Jonathan is a highly experienced hospitality professional with a proven track record of leadership and operational excellence. I am confident that, under his guidance, Ashdown Park will continue to build on its reputation for exceptional service and guest experience as we look ahead to a new chapter for this distinguished property in the heart of the Sussex countryside.”
Brown’s career began in 1996, and although he hadn’t set out to pursue a career in hospitality, he was pursuing a degree in economics at Birmingham University; he quickly became enthralled by the hospitality industry.
His first managerial role was in 2001 at The Athenaeum Hotel in London, and he continued to rise through the ranks within some of the UK’s top luxury and private club properties, including The Grove and Kinsale Hotel and Spa in Ireland, part of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts. Working with and inspired by Sean Davoren whilst at The Lanesborough, and Daniel Thwaites, owner of Thwaites Hospitality Group.
His tenure as Hotel Manager at Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire earned praise for elevating service standards, and most recently, he held the role of Director of Operations at the Royal Automobile Club, where he honed his expertise in upscale guest experiences and operations management.
In his new role as General Manager at Ashdown Park Hotel, Jonathan will oversee all aspects of the hotel and country club’s operations.
He says, “It’s a privilege to be taking on the role of General Manager at such a wonderful hotel as Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club. The combination of historic elegance and exceptional service, Elite Hotels reflects everything I value in hospitality – integrity, attention to detail, communication, collaboration, and respect. I look forward to building on the hotel’s excellent reputation and working alongside a passionate team to deliver the best possible guest experience”.
Brown will continue to develop the next phase of Ashdown Park Hotel, where he plans to make the property a real food destination. He is passionate about sustainability and sourcing food locally, and creating a real food story around the produce used in the hotels’ restaurants. He also wants to develop sports facilities and outside space, offering more yoga retreats, wild swimming events and foraging experiences.
Outside of life as a General Manager, Brown has a passion for fine dining, enjoying different dining experiences, including being a keen BBQ-er. He walks regularly with his family, with two teenagers keeping him busy.
Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club is a magnificent country house hotel set within 186 acres of landscaped gardens and ancient woodland in the heart of Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. This former 19th-century neo-Gothic mansion combines historic charm with modern luxury, offering 106 individually styled bedrooms and suites, award-winning dining at the Anderida Restaurant led by Head Chef Andrew Wilson, and elegant event spaces ideal for weddings and corporate retreats.
