Member Article

Hotel and catering teams bolstered at Coventry Building Society Arena

A string of appointments have been made to bolster the catering and hotel teams at a leading exhibition, events and conference centre.

Coventry Building Society Arena has seen two new appointments to the sales and front-of-house team at the on-site 121-bedroom DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, while a trio of new chefs have joined the kitchen which provides catering for The Anecdote Bar and The Mill Brasserie and Bar.

The hires come as the venue continues to expand its teams to support the wider investment being made to improve the Arena and its on-site facilities. Marianna Lymanets has joined as Sales Manager at the DoubleTree by Hilton and has been working in travel, tourism and hospitality for more than 10 years. She joins after six years with an international hotel group in Kiev, after moving to the UK in May 2022 to flee the war in Ukraine.

Marianna said: “I’m happy to be joining what is already a very strong team here. I am passionate about sales and bringing a smile to the face of customers is important for me. I hope I will be able to support growth of the hotel with my skills, by welcoming new customers and increasing revenue.

“The position came up and it was ideal for the experience I had already developed in Ukraine. Me and my two children were rescued from the war, but I’m really happy to be here at the hotel and to try to build a career here.” Brad Kirkwood from Coventry has joined as Front of House Manager for the DoubleTree by Hilton. He rose through the ranks at his previous hotel from night porter to operations manager over seven years.

“This is a new challenge and it feels like a natural fit here for me,” Brad said. “I’m working with a great team here and I want to continue my development and learn as much as I can. I like to help people around me develop too and will be looking to support my team to enhance the customer experience at the hotel.”

Raj Balsaraf, General Manager at the DoubleTree by Hilton, added: “We’re pleased to be welcoming Marianna and Brad to our team as we prepare for an exciting period of change and development at the hotel and wider venue.

“We have a growing team at the hotel and it is vitally important for us that we continue to raise our standards and deliver over and above the service that guests expect from a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.” The brand-new team in the kitchen will provide catering for The Anecdote Bar and The Mill, while also providing support to the venue’s wider catering team for events. Luke Bratchie has been hired as a Chef and will be supported by Jack Sewell and Gethin Farren in the kitchen.

The Anecdote Bar has recently launched an overhaul of its menu for the first time since opening in 2021. Paul Michael, commercial director at Coventry Building Society Arena, said that the appointments are part of the wider development strategy for the venue.

“Our on-site hotel and bars are vitally important for the experience of visitors to the venue, be that for a conference, exhibition, sports event, or concert. It is crucial we have talented and passionate individuals in those facilities to deliver the best possible service. “We have great plans for the development of the venue and this latest group of appointments will support those plans over the coming months.”

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