World-class team to deliver boutique hotels to the UK

Leeds-based Pantin Hotels has appointed a world class senior team to develop a collection of luxury based boutique hotels. The first hotel, The Ellington, opens in Leeds city centre this summer.

The company was founded in 2006 by David Pantin, who has handpicked five highly experienced senior executives who specialize in international luxury hotels.

Gerhard Schaller has been appointed as Director of Operations and will draw on his experience in senior management positions at exclusive hotels in London including Grosvenor House and The Savoy and General Manager’s positions at The Balmoral, Edinburgh and Nikko Hotels in Mexico and New Delhi. Gerhard is also a Master Innholder.

Looking after the money matters is Director of Finance Mark Lightbound, who joins the team from his previous position at Rocco Forte Hotels where he was Regional Financial Controller in the UK. Mark has also held senior positions with Whitbread and Gleneagles Hotels where he was Group Financial Controller.

Sally Rouse, a graduate of the Savoy Group management training scheme which included placements at Claridge’s, The Savoy and The Berkeley Hotel, has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing, a position Sally also held at Brown’s Hotel, London and at The St David’s Hotel & Spa, Cardiff.

These three additions to the team supplement the earlier appointment of Jim Beard as Director of Administration with previous roles including Deputy General Manager of the Grosvenor House, Head of Sales and Marketing at the George V in Paris and General Manager of The Cavendish in London. Jim also oversaw the integration of Le Meridien Hotels international sales and marketing into Forte Hotels.

The team is currently overseeing the launch of The Ellington in Leeds’ financial sector, located close to the train station. The Ellington has already been named a member of the highly select collection of luxury hotels, The Leading Small Hotels of the World, one of only six English hotels to have this accreditation.

David Pantin comments: “I have built a team that shares my passion for hotel keeping. They have extensive experience in some of the world’s leading hotels and many have worked with me previously. Together we want to create a guest experience that reflects the true art of hotel keeping through hospitality with warmth and first class service.”

For more information, visit Pantinhotels.com.