Richard Baker Appointed General Manager at Luton Hoo

Richard Baker, who received an MBE for services to tourism, has been appointed General Manager at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa.

He joins Elite Hotels’ landmark five-star property on the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire border after four years running his own hospitality consultancy and 18 years as General Manager at The Grand in Brighton.

During his time in Brighton he was credited with reviving the Grand’s reputation after it was devastated by an IRA bomb in 1984 and was a driving force behind the city’s tourism and conference trade. He was named Sussex Businessman of the Year in 2003 and the following year was awarded an MBE for services to hospitality and tourism in the south.

Richard, was born in Birkenhead and grew up in Lichfield, Staffordshire, where he had his first taste of hotel life.

Richard said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for me and I feel like the cat that has got the cream.”

Married with two grown-up children, his wife Judy will be relocating to join him in six months when his feet are firmly under the table.

Graeme Bateman, Managing Director of Elite Hotels, said: “Luton Hoo has been a major milestone in the company’s development and therefore I am absolutely delighted to announce Richard Baker’s appointment as General Manager. He is extremely well-known in the hospitality and tourism industry and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Luton Hoo.”

Luton Hoo, an 18th century mansion house set in a 1,065-acre Capability Brown designed estate, reopened its doors last October following Elite Hotels’ £60 million restoration and redevelopment programme. It is the fourth property owned by the independent UK-based group. Since 1986 Elite has invested in historic properties in the south east and restored them to their original splendour. The three other hotels in the group are Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club near Wych Cross in East Sussex; The Grand Hotel at Eastbourne, also in East Sussex; and Tylney Hall Hotel near Hook in Hampshire. All four hotels are members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the collection of leading independent hotels that offer unrivalled standards of luxury, comfort and service.