NEW SPA DIRECTOR DIVES INTO ROLE WITH MACDONALD

It is full steam ahead for new recruit, Jeanette Jones, as she takes on the recently created role of UK Managing Director for Spa and Leisure at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.

The role recognises the growth of this sector in the UK and its ongoing potential, and comes at a time when the Group is firmly focussed on both developing its existing spa and leisure facilities and gaining market share within the premium four and five star market. Indeed, five new thermal spa and leisure facilities are set to open within the next 12 months, including the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa in Tarporley, Cheshire and Macdonald Old England Hotel in Windermere.

Jeanette (41 years) has over 16 years experience in the spa and leisure sector, and comes to the Group from Chardon Management, where she was Director for Health & Fitness for two years. During this time she was responsible for the re-branding of Livingwell Health Clubs, implementation of membership and sales systems across the UK sites and the development of standard practices and procedures, and as a direct result, successfully increased membership levels by 10%. Prior to this, Jeanette worked with Intercontinental Hotels Group for 14 years, where she was Head of Operations, managing 49 health and fitness clubs and 21 beauty spas.

Jeanette, who lives in Cheshire/who comes from Liverpool, commented on her new role, and the challenges that lie ahead.

"Within the industry, Macdonald Hotels is recognised as having one of the best hotel based health, fitness and spa offerings. What instantly struck me about the Group was the real belief in their product and the strong emphasis they place on best practice and quality, with the aim of consistently delivering positive customer experiences.

"My aim will be to build on this strong foundation and positive reputation among both the industry and customers, to secure the Group's place as the market leader in this sector."

Over the next six months, Jeanette will undertake an extensive strategic review of the organisation to identify areas of growth and opportunity. Working closely with her 450-strong team across 31 locations, she will also develop a structured training and development programme, and robust strategies for sales, marketing and delivery.

"As well as instilling a more effective programme of procedures into the business, we will also be looking at how we can differentiate ourselves from our competitors, and creating new and exciting spa experiences at our thermal spas," she added.

"Crucially, we will also be listening to the views of our customers - both members and hotel guests - in order to find out what they really want from a spa experience. This will truly enable us to shape the best hotel offering in the sector."