Von Essen chief operating officer quits after 12 months

Colin Bailey has joined hotel and conference company Principal Hayley as operations director, just 12 months after joining Von Essen as its first chief operating officer.

Bailey, who joined Von Essen after 22 years at De Vere, was the headline appointment amongst a management shake-up last year that also saw Stephen Littlefair, finance director at De Vere's Village Hotels, join the luxury hotel company as hotel operating finance director

He will head up a multi-million pound refurbishment programme currently underway at Principal Hayley, which has 21 properties

"Principal Hayley has an excellent proposition and huge ambitions," Bailey said. "I'm joining at a time where development and expansion is a key focus. I'm looking forward to taking this well respected brand and market leader to a wider customer base and into new destinations."

In February, Principal Hayley added the Oakley Court hotel in Windsor, a 4-star hotel set in 35 acres of gardens on the bank of the River Thames, to its portfolio of 22 hotels and conference venues across the UK. The hotel has 113-bedrooms and an AA rosette wining restaurant and is a joint venture with Heuston Hospitality, owners of the property.

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By Chris Druce

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