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Village Hotel Club has announced the appointment of Rob Lees as the general manager of its new Reading site, ahead of the hotel’s planned opening in December.
The hotel, located at the former Crowne Plaza site at Caversham Bridge, is undergoing a multi-million-pound refurbishment and is expected to create more than 100 local jobs.
Lees previously led Village Hotel Club Farnborough for three years, where he oversaw record booking numbers, expanded the site’s health and wellness facilities and supported staff development through the company’s Rising Stars programme. He has also managed major events including the Farnborough International Airshow.
He has worked in hospitality and leisure for more than 20 years, holding senior roles at the QHotels Collection, Countrywide Hotels and Exclusive Hotels and venues.
Lees said: “From my time leading Village Hotel Club Farnborough, I have seen first-hand the quality of our ‘everything under one roof’ customer proposition and am excited to bring this to a new city of local guests, members and corporate customers.
“At Village, we’re committed to playing a leading role in our local communities – from fundraising to community engagement – and I look forward to Village Hotel Club Reading becoming a local hub for all to enjoy when our doors open in December.”
The new Reading hotel will feature a health and wellness club, event spaces, an on-site Starbucks, and a riverside Pub and Grill with big-screen sports, an interactive darts area and a terrace overlooking the River Thames.
The opening follows Village’s appointment as the official hotel partner of Reading Football Club for the 2025–26 season. The company has also recently acquired a former DoubleTree by Hilton site at Sheffield Park as part of wider UK expansion plans.
