Launching in May 2018, Crowne Plaza London – Albert Embankment is the first luxury hotel to open in the Albert Embankment area.

This exciting new hotel positions itself at the forefront of a new way of doing business – with design-led, culturally-relevant and technology-enabled solutions at the heart of its philosophy.

Along with investment in the hotel itself, the owner has also made a commitment to bringing on board the best and brightest of the hospitality industry. The stellar team, headed up by Fabio Gallo, formerly launch General Manager at ME London, is dedicated to warm and attentive service, with a stylish and contemporary home away from home experience, whether for business or leisure.

The high-calibre of staff, each with a strong and varied background in the industry, have been brought in to make this exciting new hotel a success. The new hotel’s staff is comprised of the below key team members.

Fabio Gallo, General Manager He established himself in the commercial area at companies including Forte & Le Meridien, The Grosvenor House, and The London Hilton on Park Lane. From there he conducted, as GM, the opening of The Baglioni London. He then continued to The Cadogan, where in five years he tripled profitability, increased staff retention and significantly improved service levels. In 2011 The Cadogan was awarded Best UK Boutique Hotel at the International Luxury Hotels Awards, under Fabio’s general management in true testament to his skills.

Gallo left The Cadogan to launch ME London. Under his watch, the property won a number of industry awards including “Best New Opening of the Year 2013”, “Best Hotel Suite of the Year” and “Overall Winner of Best Hotel of The Year 2013” at the European Hospitality Awards. During his time at ME London the property was delivering the best service within the ME brand. Fabio then joined IHG where he worked as General Manager at the Crowne Plaza London – The City and from there he joined the Crowne Plaza London – Albert Embankment.

Ivan Drinkwater, Director of Finance Previously at Splendid Hospitality Group, where Ivan was working as Cluster Director of Finance for the Conrad Hilton St James’ and the Hilton Bankside, Ivan joined the CPL-AE team in late 2017. During most of his career Ivan worked with the Four Seasons Group occupying various positions within the area of Finance both in London and Hampshire.

Kirsten Cameron, Director of Revenue & Reservations Kirsten joined the CPL-AE team on 22nd January from The Trafalgar St James where she had been working as Director of Revenue. Kirsten has a wealth of experience having worked for the Radisson Edwardian Hotel Group and the Thistle Hotel Group. For six years, she was at the Crowne Plaza Docklands, prior to joining The Trafalgar St James in May 2016. During her career, Kirsten was nominated for a number of awards and was shortlisted as ‘Revenue Manager of the Year’ at the 2015 Hotel Cateys as well as being nominated for a ‘Special Achievement’ award at the RBH awards in 2014. Crowne Plaza Docklands Manager of the year 2013. Short listed as Revenue Driving Employee at the BDL awards 2011. Nominated for an IHG Star Revenue Award 2011.

Ben Wilmot-Smith, Director of Sales Ben has a BSc Hons Degree from Oxford Brookes University in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Ben’s career began with Hilton working in central London and then moving onto the pre-opening sales team of London Syon Park A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Followed by joining major hotel groups IHG and then onto Marriott where he worked within the National sales team. Prior to joining, he was Director of Sales at the Holiday Inn London Heathrow M4 Jct4.

Fabrizio Russo, Director of Food & Beverage Fabrizio joined CPL-AE from The Milestone Hotel, where he spent the last five years as Director of Food & Beverage. Fabrizio began his career as a chef in Calabria and then moved on to the sector. During his career he has worked with Radisson Edwardian Hotels, occupying various positions within the areas of F&B for over seven years. Prior to that, he was the Director and Owner of his own restaurant, Lock, for five years before selling the restaurant and joining the Mercer Street Hotel as F&B Manager, before moving to The Milestone Hotel, where he established himself at the top end of the service delivery market.

Fabio Gallo, General Manager of the new hotel said of the launch: “We are thrilled to be leading the way as part of Crowne Plaza’s pioneering new concept, offering a premium and innovative service for the modern business traveller.”

He continues, “Essential to delivering this personalised experience are the people, behind it. We have carefully curated a team of talented individuals, all experts from across the service and hospitality industry, whose passion and dedication for service delivery, is key to driving our success.”