Malmaison loses two key executives

Boutique hotel chain Malmaison has announced the departure of two of its key executives, Caterer has learnt.

Operations director Nick Gamble has left the group after seven years to take on the same role at Village Hotels, part of the De Vere Group, to pursue "new challenges".

Paul Nisbett has also announced his departure from his position as financial director after five years, to start his own company.

Malmaison chief executive Robert Cook said the employees had been given a fond farewell last week and that both would "be sadly missed".

Cook also announced the appointment of a new managing director, Bruce McKendrick who joins the group from leisure attractions operator Tussauds group.

He said that McKendrick will be in charge of rolling out the Malmaison brand overseas.

Malmaison is owned by property company Marylebone Warwick Balfour, of which chief executive Richard Balfour-Lynn is a key investor in the Alternative Hotel Group, the owner of De Vere.

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By Gemma Sharkey

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