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The Bird, Bath hotel has announced it has made a series of appointments to its management team.
It has appointed Ashley Ely as general manager who will join the recently appointed food and beverage manager James Rowley and head chef Leon Smith to form a new ‘trio’ of senior management at the hotel for 2021.
The boutique hotel said Ely brings “extensive experience at some of the finest boutique hotels in the country” including time as hotel director at Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa; general manager at The Zetter Hotel and Zetter Townhouse.
He joins The Bird from his most recent position as cluster general manager for Locke Hotels, where he was responsible for two of its London openings, including Bermonds Locke last September.
Ely joins food and beverage manager James Rowley who arrived at The Bird in November 2020. A dedicated professional, Rowley was most recently restaurant manager at the five-red star, two AA rosette, Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa, driving the hotel’s food offering to acclaimed success during his two years in the role.
Rowley is said to be “working closely” with head chef Smith on the establishment of Plate, Bathwick’s Restaurant and Bar.
Having joined The Bird in the summer of 2020, the hotel said Smith is an “exciting talent” who returned to the West Country having established his reputation at Tom Aikens in Chelsea, Wild Honey, Berwick Lodge, The Pony and Trap.
Commenting Ely said: “I am very excited to be joining James, Leon and the team at The Bird and working with everyone at The Kaleidoscope Collection. I am looking forward to getting stuck in and whilst we live in very uncertain times, I am confident that once the situation allows, 2021 will be a big year for The Bird and Plate combined.
“The team has been doing an excellent job of looking after our guests and serving great food and drink in a very unique property. I will be looking to build on this along with a few projects thrown in for good measure – it is going to be a busy time and I can’t wait to get started.”
