The Macdonald Aviemore Resort has made a number of senior appointments and promotions to its senior management team as Managing director Kenny McMillan, who became MD in December last year, names the team to oversee strategic operations and further growth across all key service lines.
Clare Armstrong rejoins as Sales Director following seven years working for Inverness Chamber of Commerce where she was head of membership. She was previously sales and events manager at Drumossie Hotel for eight years.
Gaelle Delagrave becomes Marketing director – an experienced marketer with over 20 years’ experience in digital media, specialising in customer growth strategies and key account management for leading brands globally.
Finance director, Lynne Hadden, is a chartered certified accountant. Previously finance manager at Springfield Properties of Elgin, where she worked for 20 years, Lynne is passionate about providing quality financial and management reporting.
Edwin Blackhall, who first joined as an apprentice more than 20 years ago, has returned as group executive chef. Ed’s career has been built on celebrating the finest, locally-sourced produce. He was previously executive chef at Pittodrie House Hotel in Aberdeenshire and honed his skills in the kitchens of Bath Spa Hotel and Drumossie Hotel, among others.
Food and beverage operations director Jakub Golebiowski has spent the past 17 years in F&B management at Macdonald Aviemore Resort. Since joining as a restaurant assistant manager, Jakub progressed to F&B operations manager before becoming director of Operations.
Golf director Jonny Chaisty brings over 15 years’ industry experience and has worked in golf management for 10 years. At Spey Valley Golf Course, Jonny’s primary responsibility is to ensure the course operates profitably and to provide a first-class Highland experience for both members and visitors alike.
New Retail director, Caron Black, has been involved in numerous projects at Macdonald Aviemore Resort from both retail and hospitality perspectives, promoting a positive working culture and environment.
Welcoming the new appointments, managing director Kenny McMillan said, “I’m pleased that the senior management team has been finalised and look forward to working with my colleagues to develop and deliver the strategic vision for the business as the resort continues to go from strength to strength.
“The leadership team has certainly added fresh impetus and their combined strengths and talents, complemented by our existing workforce, will be important assets over the coming years. This gives me great confidence as we drive the business forward whilst continuously improving our working practices and service delivery.
“There is tremendous potential to further enhance the positive work we’re doing at the resort, both on-site and across the local community. We continue to benefit from our ability to deliver unforgettable experiences for our business and leisure guests and have experienced an encouraging start to the year in terms of bookings for rooms, conferences and family breaks.”
Macdonald Aviemore Resort, which dates back more than 50 years, was named Resort Hotel of the Year at the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2019. It is a collection of four hotels, 19 luxury woodland lodges, a conference centre, the Macdonald Spey Valley Championship Golf Course and luxury shopping.
In recent years, a new clubhouse has been built for the Spey Valley golf course while the popular Giovanni’s Italian Ristorante has been refurbished to sit alongside the resort’s signature restaurant, Aspects. Significant improvements have also been made to lift the Macdonald Morlich and Macdonald Aviemore hotels from three to four-star status as part of a multi-million pound investment.