Lakes hotel group lands the man from Mars

Last updated 05:14, Friday, 31 October 2008

One of the North West’s leading hotel groups – English Lakes Hotels – has appointed a new director to lead its sales and marketing teams.

On the board: David Neale, new director at English Lakes Hotels was previously sales and marketing director of Reebok UK and ran the Mars Group’s highly successful ice cream division

David Neale, 46, takes up the post of group commercial director. He was previously the sales and marketing director of Reebok UK and ran the Mars Group’s highly successful ice cream division.

He said: “I’m very pleased to be joining such a well-established and respected regional business.

“My job will be to help build on the firm’s success in a very competitive sector.

“It’s more important than ever to make sure we fully understand our customer base and ensure the company sustains its excellent record of innovation.”

Simon Berry, managing director of English Lakes Hotels, says: “I’m delighted that David is joining us in this very important role. He comes with fantastic experience from two highly-rated blue chip companies, so he’s going to be a tremendous asset.”

David first moved to Cumbria from the south of England when he took up the job at Reebok in 1997. Since then he’s developed a real passion for the area.

This year he has taken part in all the Lakeland Trail races and will be running in the 15-kilometre Helvellyn Trail tomorrow.

He said: “Cumbria is a great environment in which to work and bring up a young family. There really is nowhere better for someone who enjoys the great outdoors.”

English Lakes Hotels is a family-owned and run group with four hotels in the Lake District and one near Lancaster.