De Vere Hotels Appoint New Head of Marketing

25 May 2010 DE VERE HOTELS APPOINT NEW HEAD OF MARKETING De Vere Hotels and Resorts have appointed Kirstie Yates as the new head of marketing responsible for overseeing marketing communications at 13 luxury hotels within the collection. Kirstie joins De Vere from pub company Mitchells & Butlers where she spent four years in brand development most of which was spent as senior marketing manager of O’Neill’s, the traditional Irish pub chain. A graduate from Leicester University, where she gained a degree in politics and a masters in marketing, Kirstie started her career at international drinks group Diageo where she worked on the Guinness and Baileys brands before becoming brand manager for Smirnoff. At De Vere Kirstie will be responsible for developing and overseeing local and national marketing activities for 13 hotels which includes a number of premier golf courses and luxury spa and conference facilities across the UK. Cameron House on the shores of Loch Lomond, Slaley Hall in Northumberland, The Grand Hotel at Brighton and Belton Woods in Lincolnshire are among the leading hotels within the collection. In her new role she will report directly into chief executive Deborah Kemp who is spearheading the marketing drive which will focus on both promoting the meetings and incentive facilities to the corporate sector and attracting more leisure visitors. Commenting on her appointment, Kirstie said: “I am joining De Vere at a very exciting time for the company and will be working closely with the hotel sales teams at a local and national level to maximise the marketing opportunities within their properties. “With the rising cost of holidaying abroad, not to mention the recent disruption to air travel, we will be looking to attract more customers to our hotels which are very much part of the Great British holiday tradition. With outstanding spa, golf and leisure facilities, they are a great base for short breaks or longer holidays where couples or families can enjoy the surrounding countryside and numerous attractions.” Ends Note to editors: De Vere Hotels and Resorts is part of the Alternative Hotel Group which includes De Vere Venues, Liberty of London, Malmaison, Hotel Du Vin, Village Hotels and Greens Health and Fitness. Issued on behalf of De Vere Hotels and Resorts. For further information, please contact Steve Dann or Lisa Ellams at Fleet Street Consulting Limited, Tel: 0121 262 3900.