Member Article

Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville’s Hotel Football reveals its first team line-up

GG Hospitality, the hospitality company launched by former Manchester United stars Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, has unveiled the team that they have recruited to drive the UK’s first Hotel Football.

The venture, a 133 bedroom hotel, conference and event venue, is due to open opposite United’s Old Trafford stadium on December 8th.

The team is made up of general manager, Stewart Davies, director of marketing, Louise Kemp, director of sales, Katie Garrahy, operations manager Michael Falla and revenue manager Hayley Peck.

As general manager, Stewart Davies has been instrumental in the planning stages of Hotel Football since 2013.

Starting his career on the Radisson Edwardian Graduate Management Programme, Stewart has held a number of management roles in renowned hotels, from the five star Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel in Leicester Square, to the four star Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Manchester city centre.

Stewart works closely with Stuart Procter, the managing director of GG Hospitality, and will be responsible for ensuring all elements of the hotel are completed to the highest possible standard and the team is fully prepared for opening. Once open, Stewart will oversee the day-to-day management of the hotel.

Louise Kemp, who joins GG Hospitality as director of marketing, was previously the brand manager for UK bar and restaurant operator, Living Ventures, where she managed an estate of eight Blackhouse restaurants and opened Manchester hotspot, Australasia.

As director of marketing, Louise will oversee all brand and marketing activity for GG Hospitality, which at present comprises Hotel Football and Café Football in Westfield Stratford City, London.

Director of sales, Katie Garrahy, was formerly the director of corporate sales at Apex Hotels, managing the sales team which operated a number of four star London hotels.

Having held roles with De Vere, Mint Hotels and City Inn, Katie will use her experience to drive forward Hotel Football’s sales strategy, working closely with the marketing and hotel management teams.

Career highlights for Hotel Football’s new operations manager, Michael Falla, include assisting the multimillion pound refurbishment and rebrand of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Edinburgh. Previously food and beverage manager for the Hilton group, Michael will supervise the day-to-day running of the hotel, managing a number of teams, from catering and front of house, to housekeeping.

Revenue manager, Hayley Peck, has held roles with a number of leading hotels in Manchester including The Crown Plaza, Malmasion and Radisson Blu Edwardian. As revenue manager for Hotel Football, Hayley will head up the commercial office, managing group bookings, special events and conferences.

Stuart Procter, managing director of GG Hospitality, said: “I am excited by the talented team that is coming together, but the ‘transfer window’ is still open and there is room for many more recruits. However, I have to ensure the core team is of the highest industry calibre.

“Similar to selecting a football team, I need to ensure we have a great spine with great experiences, skills and personalities complemented each other. This is very important as we will all be working together on a daily basis and each and every person will play a vital role in the overall success of the hotel.”

He added: “With a great mix of sporting venues, bars, restaurants, heritage sites and visitor attractions right on our doorstep, we are looking forward to being a part of this bustling, cosmopolitan city and welcome not only football fans, but businesses, leisure guests and locals alike, to Hotel Football.”

Hotel Football is Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville’s second hospitality business together, under the GG Hospitality brand - the first being Café Football in London. To add to the footballing credentials, Philip Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, are also involved in the development of the project.

The hotel will house the Old Trafford Supporters Club and will feature its own five-a-side rooftop football pitch, Café Football restaurant and unique meeting and event spaces, catering for up to 500 people.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .