Member Article

Experienced Hotelier returns as general manager of the Legacy Falcon Hotel in Stratford

An experienced hotelier has returned to the industry as general manager of a top hotel in Stratford.

John Billane has joined the Legacy Falcon Hotel in Chapel Street after working in the hospitality sector for 35 years.

In the late 1990s, he was area director for The Craigendarroch Hotel & Resorts near Ballater in Aberdeenshire and the Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel & Resort in Perthshire when Legacy Hotels and Resorts’ chief executive officer Andy Townsend was a unit manager with Stakis Hotels.

John was then general manager at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel for four years before he became director of operations at Signature Senior Lifestyle where he has provided support to the general managers and food and beverages operations managers at the UK-wide care home group for the last five years.

The 55-year-old, who is a sports fanatic and at his best he had a golf handicap of 11, said: “I wanted to get back into the hotel business and when this opportunity came up, it was too good to turn down.

“I think the Stratford area is fantastic – it is a busy town particularly at the moment with the Shakespeare birthday celebrations.

“The staff at the Legacy Falcon hotel are very enthusiastic and I am looking forward to working with them and developing all areas of the business.

“I think it is important that guests have a friendly service because many are leisure visitors rather than coming to the hotel to attend a conference and we want to play our part in ensuring they have an enjoyable visit to Stratford upon Avon.

“We have over 50 staff which means I can get to know everyone and I want to create a vibrant atmosphere within the hotel.”

Andy Townsend, chief executive officer at Legacy Hotels and Resorts, said John has extensive and relevant experience in the development and operation of our hotels which would help drive the Legacy Falcon Hotel forward.

He said: “John’s passion and depth of experience for the business and cultural fit to our organisation provides a great opportunity for the Legacy Falcon Hotel and also, the wider management portfolio within Legacy Hotels and Resorts.

“I am pleased that John has chosen us for his re-emergence into the hotel sector and I am sure the Legacy Falcon Hotel will reap the benefits.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .