Robert Cook denies he is to leave Malmaison and Hotel du Vin

Robert Cook has quashed industry rumours that he is to leave his role as chief executive of the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin.

Sources have linked Cook with a move away from the boutique hotel groups, which parent group Marylebone Warwick Balfour (MWB) have put up for sale.

However in an exclusive interview with Caterersearch, he said the financial benefits to both him and his executive team to “stay put” were “too big to walk away from”.

“I’m not going anywhere. It’s the last thing on my mind,” Cook said. “We are in the process of expanding outside of the UK and we have four hotels to open next year.”

“In my private time I am a consultant to AHG, but I am the chief executive of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin and I’m going to remain so,” he added.

Cook revealed that he intended to strengthen the team and will be bringing in a managing director to work alongside financial director Paul Nisbett and the operations director Nick Gamble. 

Last September, MWB delayed the sale of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin due to the credit crunch. 

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By Amanda Afiya

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