The Old Swan hotel promotes Chris Platt to operations manager

Chris Platt has been promoted to the role of operations manager at the Old Swan, a Victorian hotel in the centre of Harrogate.

Platt has 20 years’ experience in the industry, and most recently spent a number of years as assistant manager at the Mechanics Theatre in Burnley. Previously he was hospitality and beverage manager at Weetwood Hall in Leeds for four years, and prior to that he spent some time as lounge bar manager at the Preston Marriott before being promoted to conference and banqueting manager.

In his new role Platt will ensure the “smooth day-to-day running” of the hotel and provide support to general manager, David Ritson.

Platt said: “My new focus is to build upon the excellent level of customer experience across the entire hotel and that starts as soon as guests arrive with their greeting by the Front of House team and checking in at reception.

“I am looking to ensure a high level of delivery of services across all areas of the hotel that our customers expect from all Classic Lodges hotels.”

As the former food and beverage manager at the Old Swan, he will be responsible for helping his incumbent settle into the new role. He has proposed revamping the F&B meetings to include input from all the different teams and act as a sounding board for the chefs when creating a new menu.

GM Ritson added: “Whenever a senior role presents itself we like to promote from within whenever possible. In this instance we have been fortunate enough that we have that candidate within our own team. It has been great to witness Chris’ development first hand and play a part in that. I look forward to many successful years working alongside Chris at the hotel.”