Stephen Mannock is to join the historic 4 star King’s Head Hotel in Cirencester as General Manager where he will be responsible for the strategic and operational management of the hotel and launching it when it opens in March 2014.
Currently Director and General Manager of 4 star Wivenhoe House Hotel in Colchester, he saw the opening and successful launch of the stunning 45 bedroom boutique hotel, which also acts as the UK’s first training hotel offering degree courses in hospitality.
After an early career in upscale hotels, including a role as Food and Beverage Manager of the 5 star Chester Grosvenor Hotel, Stephen’s experience includes heading up the catering department at Darlington College, and acting as Programme Director for the National Skills Academy for Hospitality. He is also the past Chair of the waiter judges for the Young Chef and Young Waiter of the Year competition – training and developing young people is in his blood.
The King’s Head
Closed for redevelopment in 2007, the King’s Head will re-open under the management of West Berkshire hotel operator, The Vineyard Group, as a modern, elegant hotel offering 45 stylish bedrooms, an exciting bar and restaurant space together with an exceptional wine list and an all day dining option offering the very best of modern British food.
The entire hotel has been undergoing an extensive restoration programme to address decades of neglect to the historic fabric, including extensive archaeological excavation in the cellars. Final fit-out works will shortly commence including the 45 bedrooms, which will all be designed keeping the character of the grade II listed building. There are also plans for a subterranean spa with a number of treatment rooms for the enjoyment of both residential and local guests.
Andrew McKenzie, Managing Director of The Vineyard Group, who owns the five star Vineyard hotel near Newbury, and who will manage the King’s Head hotel on behalf of owners Wildmoor, said: “It’s great to have Stephen on board; his experience in training young people in the hospitality industry is second to none and he has a proven track record of opening and running successful hotels.”
Stephen Mannock, new General Manager, says “Having spent the last two years overseeing the final refurbishment and opening of Wivenhoe House in Colchester, I am proud and excited to have been appointed as the General Manager of the King’s Head in Cirencester. The hotel is being refurbished to a very high standard and I look forward to opening the doors and welcoming the local community.”
The Vineyard Group
The Vineyard Group successfully manages a small group of hotels, owns two hotels and a golf club in Berkshire plus a Californian wine business. Its flagship hotel, the five star Vineyard hotel, has continued to win awards for its restaurant, hotel and spa offering. The most recent ones being Decanter Restaurant of the Year 2012 – 13, Imbibe Wine List of the Year 2012 and Relais and Chateaux Rising Chef of the Year 2010. With one of the largest wine lists in the UK including over 3,000 different bins and 100 wines available by the glass, The Vineyard is an ever-growing popular choice for wine lovers and gastronomes alike.