Middle Eight hotel strengthens team with four new appointments

Covent Garden-based Middle Eight hotel, which is set to open in May, has announced the appointment of four members to its management team.

The hotel, which will offer 180 rooms, 12 suites and multiple food and beverage outlets, has appointed Melanie Heavern as its head of people 

The hotel said her career has seen her hold several “key positions” across the hospitality sector, driving and delivering the HR strategy for a number of major organisations. 

She spent a decade with Hilton Worldwide, including five years as HR Director at the London Hilton Park Lane.

Julian Zeneli also joins the team as director of food and beverage. Prior to taking up his position at Middle Eight, Zeneli founded Julian’s Kitchen in Notting Hill.

Prior to this, he was GM of The Garden House Restaurant at Beaverbrook Estate in Leatherhead in Surrey, overseeing all operations including the cookery school and private events.

Paul Robinson has also been appointed as Middle Eight’s executive chef. He has previously worked as head chef at Temper Restaurants, The Riding Horse Cafe, The Establishment and St Germain.

Completing the management team is Eva Maria Varela, director of sales and marketing.

Varela has over 20 years experience in the global hospitality industry.

She joins Middle Eight from Nobu Hotel Shoreditch, where she was director of sales and marketing. Before this role she worked as director of sales, marketing and revenue for the Melia Zanzibar and Melia Serengeti Lodge.

Last month, Middle Eight Covent Garden appointed Christian Graf as its new general manager.

Graf has previously held the position as general manager at the Kingsway Hall Hotel. Prior to this, he spent 10 years at Millennium Hotels as GM of both its Knightsbiridge and Bailey’s Hotel sits, he also held the position of manager of Millennium Bailey’s Hotel. 

He spent the earlier part of his career working for InterContinental Hotels in Berlin, Edinburgh and London.