December 2010 - There is recent movement within Dorchester Collection as the luxury hotel group ensures guests enjoy the highest standards of sophisticated luxury. In its on-going effort to stay steps ahead of the latest travel trends, Dorchester Collection recently announced changes to top management positions at several of its properties and London corporate offices: 

Laura Richardson – Equestrian Manager, Coworth Park
Coworth Park, Dorchester Collection’s new country house hotel and spa, has hired Laura Richardson as Equestrian Manager. An eleven-time British team competitor boasting a wealth of experience, knowledge and awards earned riding for her country in European Championships, World Equestrian Games, Nations Cup tournaments and short listings for two Olympic games, Richardson oversees the extensive riding operations at the property. With a full equestrian center set to open in 2011, Coworth Park is the new benchmark for equestrian facilities in the hospitality industry with opportunities for riders of all ages and abilities, from intimate trots across 240 private acres to active rides around neighboring Windsor Great Park. Richardson heads a team of highly qualified instructors who teach a range of disciplines on their own horses as well as on the hotel’s beautiful, professionally trained “schoolmasters.” Coworth Park is also the only hotel in the UK with its own polo fields, offering guests lessons and play in the “Sport of Kings” during polo season from April to mid-September. “I am delighted to be a part of Coworth Park’s ground-breaking new equestrian program and to be filling a need for riding opportunities so close to London” said Richardson.

Christophe Saintagne – Head Chef, Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée
Christophe Saintagne has been appointed Head Chef of Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée in Paris. The move to the Michelin three-star restaurant at Hôtel Plaza Athénée follows two years as Chief Executive of Alain Ducasse Enterprises. Saintagne’s relationship with Ducasse goes back 10 years to when he joined the kitchen staff of 59 Poincaré at Hôtel Plaza Athénée. In 2002, he departed to become Head Chef of Aux Lyonnais in Paris and then moved on in 2005 to become Assistant to Jean-François Piège at Hôtel de Crillon. In 2008, Saintagne returned to take the helm at Ducasse’s restaurant group, with focus on supervising restaurants throughout France, Japan and the UK. He also shared authorship with Ducasse on ‘Nature, Simple, Healthy and Good,’ published in 2009. Born in Normandy, Saintagne studied at Auberge du Logis in Conteville, France, working with acclaimed Chef Guillaume Louet. “I’m proud Alain Ducasse has put his confidence in me and delighted to be back on a team whose sole objective is to satisfy its clientele,” noted Saintagne of his appointment.

Sally Pedder – Manager, The Dorchester Spa
Fresh from an over five million dollar refurbishment, the most glamorous destination spa in London has a new director as Sally Pedder settles in as Manager of The Dorchester Spa. Pedder arrives at The Dorchester from Danesfield House Hotel and Spa and Spa Illuminata in Mayfair, which was named “Day Spa of the Year 2009” by Condé Nast Traveller during her tenure. Previously, Pedder held the top spot at London hotel spas including at The Sanctuary, Covent Garden, Selfridges and Sopwell House Hotel. Born in Hertfordshire, Pedder was awarded C.I.D.E.S.C.O and Confederation of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology from Champneys College of Health and Beauty before embarking on her spa career.

Daniele Confalonieri – Bar Manager, Hotel Principe di Savoia
The joys of imbibing have never been lost on Daniele Confalonieri, recently appointed Bar Manager of the Principe Bar at Hotel Principe di Savoia. Born in Milan, Confalonieri takes the helm as the bar arrives at the first anniversary of its re-launch with design by Thierry Despont. The appointment is a cap on Confalonieri’s hospitality career, which has spanned three decades and two continents since his first job as a Commis de Rang for a celebrated international hotel chain. Five years later, he became an Assistant Bar Manager in London and spent the next 20 years in food & beverage-related positions with stops in New York and Santa Barbara. Among glimmering patrons who have been impressed by Confalonieri’s cocktail prowess are Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Robert De Niro. Upon returning to Italy in 2005, Confalonieri headed a hotel banqueting operation in Florence, his last stop before returning to Milan. “I long ago realized that the relationship between barman and patrons inspires perfect balance, the warmest welcome and the wise art of guest satisfaction,” says Confalonieri, who is responsible for all beverage operations, including celebrating the art of the cocktail, at the Principe Bar.

Rachel Louis – Director of Sales, The Dorchester
Dorchester Collection’s London flagship, The Dorchester, has appointed Rachel Louis as Director of Sales. With an eye toward motivating and managing her team to peak performance and increasing revenues across all areas of operation, Louis will also serve on the hotel’s Leadership Committee. Louis brings 13 years of management experience to her new position, most recently as Director of Sales at InterContinental London Park Lane and Assistant Director of Sales at Maybourne Hotel Group. Previously, she was Regional Assistant Director of Sales for Morgans Hotel Group, responsible for St. Martin’s Lane Hotel and the Sanderson. A native of Yorkshire, England, Louis earned a Politics degree from Newcastle University. “The Dorchester is the benchmark for luxury hospitality in London and around the world. With the Olympics approaching and the world turning its attention to the city, as well as the hotel’s upcoming 80th Anniversary in 2011, it’s an exciting time spearheading sales for this iconic property,” said Louis.

Julia Record – Director of Communications, Dorchester Collection
Recently appointed Director of Communications of Dorchester Collection, Julia Record is responsible for overseeing media relations for the luxury hotel group worldwide including new brand-wide initiatives such as launching the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. Record joins Dorchester Collection following one year as an independent public relations consultant with an international clientele. With over 20 years of experience, she held a string of public relations management positions, including Vice President Global Communications for Kerzner International based in the US and UK; Global PR Director for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in Hong Kong; Group PR Director of The Savoy Group in London; and Group PR Director of Thistle Hotels based in the UK. “From the recent opening of Coworth Park to the impending debut of 45 Park Lane, the reopening of Hotel Bel-Air to the new Presidential Bungalows at The Beverly Hills Hotel, I couldn’t have picked a more exciting time to be heading up communications for one of the world’s premier luxury hotel groups,” said Record.

For more information about the Dorchester Collection, please visit www.dorchestercollection.com.

Dorchester Collection
The Dorchester Collection is the successor to the Dorchester Group, originally established in 1996 to manage a portfolio of some of the world’s foremost luxury hotels in Europe and the USA. Dorchester Collection’s Chief Executive, Christopher Cowdray has set out the company’s goal to have between 15-20 hotels by 2015. The current portfolio is managed by Dorchester Collection: