Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4 team
The senior management team who will lead one of the largest hotel openings in the UK this year - the new dual-branded property, ‘Crowne Plaza London – Heathrow Terminal 4’, and ‘Holiday Inn Express® London – Heathrow Terminal 4’, has been announced by Arora Hotels, a division of the Arora Group.
The executive team of ten will work across the group’s two linked Heathrow Terminal 4 hotels when they open in October. The experienced team has been drawn from a variety of backgrounds, some of whom have been promoted within Arora Group. They will join Andrew Brown, the recently appointed General Manager for both hotels.
Ash Hoquewill join as Operations Manager of ‘Crowne Plaza London Heathrow Terminal 4’, and Tiago Camacho will take the post of Operations Manager of ‘Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow Terminal 4’.
Many senior employees will work across the two connected hotels, including Regional Revenue Manager Kunal Patel, Cluster Sales Manager James Gannon, Chief Engineer Paul Cornaia; Security and Health and Safety Manager Ian Jackson; Cluster Talent and Culture Manager Jemma Brooks; Head of Reservations Larissa Schmidt; Head Housekeeper Anzelica Natjazkin; F&B Operations Manager Vinnie Hannurkar; Front of House Manager AchrafKhouakhi; and Executive Head Chef for both properties Sam Tekle.
Andrew Brown, opening General Manager, ‘Crowne Plaza London – Heathrow Terminal 4’ and ‘Holiday Inn Express® London – Heathrow Terminal 4’, said: “We are delighted to bring together such a talented and experienced executive team. Opening the latest edition of two IHG brands under one roof and forming the largest hotel opening in the UK this year is a challenge that this passionate and professional team are proud to lead with their new colleagues.”
The two hotels are currently in the final stages of construction, and between them will boast a total of 761 bedrooms. Situated a three-minute walk to the terminal building, when finished it will be the largest hotel complex directly connected to a British airport terminal.
This is the first dual-branded concept adopted by Arora Hotels under a franchise agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). The relatively new concept of dual-brands in the United Kingdom provides guests with two brand choices under one roof whilst upholding their individual identities. Each hotel maintains the individual brand distinctions of the Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express receptively from architecture, design and operation.
‘Crowne Plaza London ‒ Heathrow T4’is a 456,000-sq ft development, which will feature 304 bedrooms and a range of business and meeting facilities, including five meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, executive lounge and three food and beverage outlets. In addition, this upscale hotel boasts enhanced facilities such as dedicated quiet zones, a Sleep Advantage Programme, including premium bedding and guaranteed wake up calls, executive lounges and luxurious bedrooms.
The 457-room ‘Holiday Inn Express London ‒ Heathrow T4’ will be a ‘next generation’ Holiday Inn Express hotel, featuring the latest technology, an Express Bar and Café and the brand’s new larger, cosier beds. Over 100guest parking spaces will be available at the hotels.
By 2019 the Arora Hotels will serve all airport terminals at Britain’s two largest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, which was used by a combined total of over 123 million passengers in 2017.
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Senior team biographies
Ash Hoque
Ash Hoque joined Sofitel London Heathrow in 2008 and brings 10 years’ experience from various positions in Food and Beverage, Front of House Operations and his most recent position as Rooms Division Manager 605-bedroom property. Ash joins as Operations Manager of Crowne Plaza London Heathrow Terminal 4.
Tiago Camacho
Tiago Camacho has more than 6 years’ experience which he earnt within IHG Group, as well as previous roles with Accor Hotels and Whitbread Group. Tiago brings a total of 12 years of experience to the Arora Group. Tiago qualified in hotel management in Portugal and now joins as Operations Manager of Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow Terminal 4.
Paul Cornaia
Paul Cornaia joins the dual-branded Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4 as Chief Engineer. Paul studied Engineering and began his career with IHG, with his most recent position at Holiday Inn.
Ian Jackson
Ian Jackson previously worked for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels and Resorts, The Grove and Principal Hayley group. Ian brings 16 years of operational experience to his role as Security and Health and Safety Manager.
Jemma Brooks
Jemma Brooks is appointed Cluster Talent and Culture Manager, taking responsibility for both Terminal 4 properties. Prior to joining Arora Group, Jemma worked for Whitbread for 17 years in numerous roles. Jemma joined in 2016 and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Larissa Schmidt
Larissa Schmidt started her hospitality career with IHG Group in 2007. Larissa has held numerous Front of House roles, with her most recent position leading the senior reservations team at InterContinental London Park Lane. Larissa will now head up the reservations team for both Terminal 4 hotels.
Anzelika Natjazkin
Angelica Natjazkin brings 18 years’ experience in Housekeeping to the dual-branded Terminal 4 hotels. Previously with Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, InterContinental London Park Lane, GLH Charing Cross and Victoria, Sloane Square Chelsea and Marriott International, Angelica joins Arora Group as Head Housekeeper.
Vinnie Hannurkar
Vinnie Hannurkar has worked for Hyatt International, Hilton, and most recently, Sofitel London Heathrow. Vinnie successfully held various management positions for a total of 6 years. Vinnie has specialised in Food and Beverage Operations for 12 years and now takes responsibility for all Food and Beverage Operations at both Terminal 4 properties.
Achraf Khouakhi
Achraf Khouakhi is appointed Front of House Manager and brings 8 years of operational experience within IHG Group and Marriott International. Achraf has previous experience within the Arora Group at sister location Renaissance London Heathrow as well as hotels outside the group; Crowne Plaza London Docklands and London Marriott Marble Arch.
Sam Tekle
Sam Tekle joins Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4 as Executive Head Chef for both properties. Sam brings 20 years of extensive culinary and fine dining experience to the role, with his most recent position being Senior Sous Chef at Sofitel London Heathrow. Sam holds a degree in Hotel Management and has previously been awarded a total of 6 AA Rosettes in his career.
Notes to Editors
The Arora Group
The Arora Group is a successful UK-focused private group of companies, which leverages synergies across its specialist property, construction and hotel divisions to its strategic advantage. Since 1999, the Group has built its standing through meticulously managing projects from inception to delivery and beyond. Today, it owns and manages a diverse portfolio of flagship assets across the nation’s key business locations, partnering with some of the world’s most recognised brands to deliver consistently high service levels and sustainable growth.
For more information please visit www.thearoragroup.com. @Arora_Group
Arora Hotels
Arora Hotels, a division of the Arora Group, is one of the UK’s leading hotel owner-operators with expertise in airport and city centre hotel operations. Current hotels within the portfolio include Sofitel London Heathrow, Sofitel London Gatwick and Novotel London Stansted (under a franchise agreement with Accor), Renaissance London Heathrow (under a franchise agreement with Marriott), InterContinental® London ‒ The O2, Holiday Inn Heathrow Terminal 5, Crowne Plaza London Heathrow Terminal 4, Holiday Inn Express® London Heathrow Terminal 4 (under a franchise agreement with IHG), Hilton London Gatwick (under a franchise agreement with Hilton Hotel and Resorts), and Arora Hotel Gatwick/Crawley. Two additional hotels currently under development are Hilton Garden Inn at Heathrow as well as a luxury country house hotel in Windsor.
PR contacts: davies tanner
Tel: 01892 619100
Becca Krug | Nancy Cremore | Nicole Moor
Email: arora@daviestanner.com
