Julia Hands
Julia Hands MBE is the founder and Chair of Hand Picked Hotels, a collection of luxury country house and coastal properties across the UK and Channel Islands. A former City lawyer, she launched the group in 2001 and has since built a brand known for elegant heritage, high standards of service, and relaxed luxury. At Hotel Owner, we report on her leadership, strategic direction, and operational developments, including refurbishments, senior appointments, and her role in shaping the UK’s independent luxury hotel sector.
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May- 2025 -30 MayPeople
Hand Picked Hotels appoints two new GMs
Hand Picked Hotels has appointed Vidyadhar Patole as general manager Wood Hall Hotel and Spa, Wetherby, and Crathorne Hall Hotel in North Yorkshire, and Graeme Nesbitt as general manager of Fawsley Hall Hotel and Spa in Northamptonshire. With more than 26 years of international experience in the hospitality industry, Patole…
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Apr- 2025 -14 AprilPeople
Hand Picked Hotels unveils two senior appointments in Channel Islands
Hand Picked Hotels, the luxury hotel group owned by Channel Island residents Julia and Guy Hands, has made two new appointments within its senior team in Jersey. Andrew Coggings has joined the group as the new general manager of The Grand Jersey Hotel and Spa. Coggings returns to Jersey having…
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Nov- 2023 -20 NovemberLatest News
Today’s news in brief – 20/11/23
Hand Picked Hotels, a collection of 21 luxury country houses and coastal retreats in the UK and Channel Islands, has appointed Ignace Bauwens as its new CEO. Julia Hands, the current CEO, will step down but remain as chairman. With over 30 years of experience in senior roles across international…
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20 NovemberLatest News
Hand Picked Hotels appoints new CEO
Hand Picked Hotels, a collection of 21 privately owned, luxury country houses and coastal retreats in the UK and Channel Islands, has announced the appointment of Ignace Bauwens as chief executive officer. Current CEO Julia Hands will be stepping down from the position but will remain as Chairman. In his…
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Oct- 2023 -27 OctoberAppointments
Hand Picked Hotels appoints first Head Of Wine
Hand Picked Hotels has announced that expert sommelier, Louise Gordon, has joined its F&B team as the collection’s first head of wine. In this new position, Gordon will oversee the wine portfolio across 21 Hand Picked Hotels luxury country houses and coastal retreats. The group said she brings with her…
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May- 2023 -22 MayPeople
Hand Picked Hotels appoints new team to Braye Beach
Hand Picked Hotels has appointed a new husband and wife team to lead the management of Braye Beach Hotel, in Alderney, Guernsey. It confirmed Scott and Katey McDonald have taken over the management of the award-winning hotel to “elevate its position as a leading coastal boutique hotel in the Channel…
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Sep- 2022 -30 SeptemberEconomy
Hand Picked Hotels gives all staff £3 per hour pay rise
Hand Picked Hotels, a collection of country house and spa hotels located throughout the UK, has announced a £3 per hour pay rise for every employee across the 21 hotels the group operates. At the lower pay levels, it said this is equivalent to 30% and has been given in…
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Sep- 2021 -20 SeptemberHotels
Hand Picked Hotels acquires three new Channel properties
Hand Picked Hotels has revealed that it has completed its acquisition of three hotels in the Channel Islands. The acquisition includes the Fermain Valley and Ziggurat hotels in Guernsey and The Braye Beach Hotel in Alderney, taking the group’s portfolio to 22 hotels across the UK and the Channel Islands.…
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May- 2021 -19 MayHotel Brands
Hand Picked Hotels to acquire Guernsey and Alderney sites
Hand Picked Hotels has announced that contracts have now been exchanged on the purchase of properties based in Guernsey and Alderney, which it plans to take over. The hotel group confirmed its interest in buying the Fermain Valley Hotel and Ziggurat Hotel in Guernsey and the Braye Beach Hotel in…
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Jun- 2020 -23 JuneHotels
Hand Picked Hotels to reopen on 4 July
The chairman and CEO of Hand Picked Hotels, Julia Hands, has announced that the hotel group will reopen on 4 July 2020. The group said there will be dedicated ‘Hand Picked Hosts’ looking after guests throughout their stay, adhering to the “highest standards of service, safety, cleanliness and comfort possible”.…
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