Member Article

Gisborough Hall appoints new hotel manager as Kim Yardley steps down

One of the North East and North Yorkshire’s best-known faces in the hospitality sector has announced his plans to step down from his role at Gisborough Hall.

Kim Yardley joined Gisborough Hall in 2001 a year prior to it becoming an hotel and has assisted with the business’s growth and development over the last 16 years.

Kim has decided to explore other interests, cutting back a little on work commitments to develop his hobbies and spend more time with his family. He will also remain with the business as a consultant.

As a result of Kim’s departure, Gisborough Hall has appointed Ruairidh Taylor as the new hotel manager. Ruairidh, who lives in Great Ayton, joined the business in 2002 as a waiter in Chaloner’s Restaurant and went on to become restaurant manager. Following a period lecturing at Middlesbrough College, Ruairidh returned in 2015 as hotel operations manager.

Speaking about his promotion, 40-year-old Ruairidh said: “Kim has had a huge influence on my career and we are all really sad to see him leave. I am so proud to have been given the opportunity to take on the role of hotel manager at a really exciting time in Gisborough Hall’s development. Not only have we this year become a fully-independent hotel which is allowing us to make some big changes, but we’re also about to start work on our multi-million-pound spa which will open early in 2019.

““I have learnt such a lot from Kim and I am looking forward to Kim mentoring me further in my new role.”

Kim Yardley added: “Ruairidh is one of our incredible success stories. He has developed into a passionate hotelier who, without question, puts the needs of our guests at the forefront of his decision making. I am sure that he will motivate and lead the hotel team with absolute dedication”

Gisborough Hall employs a team of over 100 local people, many who have developed their careers within the business.

In March, Gisborough became a fully-independent hotel for the first time since it opened and also received its best AA inspection to date rating it as one of the top destinations in the North East and North Yorkshire.

Gisborough Hall was awarded the AA’s four ‘Silver Star’ rating for its overall quality and two AA Rosettes for its food. The silver stars mark Gisborough Hall out as being of superior quality and are amongst one of the highest hotel accolades available in the UK.

Work will get underway early next year on Gisborough Hall’s new woodland spa and it’s hoped it will be open by the start of 2019. Around 38 full-time and 28 part-time new jobs will be created with the opening of the spa, which will include an 18-meter indoor pool, an outdoor hydro-pool, a variety of hear experiences with relaxation space, nine treatment rooms, an extensive gym and a fitness studio. The new spa will offer a full range of spa days and membership packages, as well as providing the facilities to all hotel residents.

Gisborough Hall dates back to 1857 and the grade II-listed country house was fully restored in 2002 by the Gisborough family, who privately own the hotel.

The hotel is home to Chaloner’s Restaurant, a Revival Zone spa, 71 bedrooms and ‘G’ Bar and Bistro, as well as a ballroom, conservatory and events’ spaces and its traditional drawing room and inner hall.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison Associates .