Hilwood Resorts & Hotels has poached Jeremy Rata from his position as general manager of the Grand, De Vere's luxury hotel in Brighton.

Rata, who has now left the Grand, will become managing director of luxury country house hotel Bovey Castle, in Devon, which Hilwood bought from Peter de Savary in 2006 for £26.4m.

Rata, who is chairman of the Academy of Food & Wine, moved to Brighton's only five-star hotel in July last year to oversee a £5m redevelopment of the iconic property.

He now plans to take a three‑week holiday before assuming his post at Bovey Castle, which also has five stars, on 20 April. He told Caterer that he "couldn't wait to get started" in his new role.

Bovey Castle made headlines in 2005 when it was revealed that de Savary's then-general manager, Philip Newman-Hall, had quit after just six weeks.

• In a separate development, Niels Sherry, who in January abruptly left his position as chief operating officer of De Vere's Deluxe division, is believed to be considering a return to the industry.

General manager quits role at Brighton landmark The Grand >>

Niels Sherry leaves De Vere in a hurry >>

Alternative Hotel Group closes De Vere HQ >>

Bovey Castle sold to Hilwood Resorts and Hotels >>

By Gemma Sharkey

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