David Hunter is new GM at Northumberland's Doxford Hall hotel

David Hunter has been appointed general manager of the four-star, 25-bedroom Doxford Hall hotel in Northumberland.

Hunter's appointment comes after Brian Burnie sold the hotel to Robert and Gina Parker for £9m.

Burnie, who wants to concentrate on his charity work, donated the proceeds of the sale to cancer care charities. He spent 15 years refurbishing the property before opening it as a hotel two years ago. Robert and Gina Parker already own function venues, Guyzance Hall and Eshott Hall in Northumberland, and the Tedsmore Estate in Shropshire.

Hunter is a founding director of Northumberland Tourism. He has previously worked at the Gleneagles hotel in Scotland and the Grand hotel in Eastbourne. Most recently he spent eight years at Matfen Hall hotel in the Tyne Valley, where he was responsible for overseeing the further development of the hotel.

During his time there, the hotel doubled in size and was awarded both Best Large Hotel in the UK and Most Considerate Hotel in England.