Anglian Country Inns appoints operations director

Howard Nye has been appointed operations director of Anglian Country Inns (ACI).

Nye, already a director with the business, move from general manager at Hermitage Rd bar and restaurant to a group level role.

His priority will be masterminding the company's new acquisition, Water Lane bar and restaurant in Bishops Stortford.

Nye said: "It is fantastic to be working in the family business whilst being able to progress my career. I am also delighted to be at the helm of such an exciting project, Water Lane bar and restaurant, being the first major task in my new role. The timing is perfect and like Hermitage Rd. it is a great opportunity to showcase ACI's culinary skills in an intriguing venue to the patrons of Bishops Stortford and beyond."

Nye studied hotel and restaurant management at Oxford Brookes University, which included a year's placement at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. After graduating in 2007, he spent four years travelling and held positions at five-star Vamizi Island Lodge in Mozambique, the Lanzerac Wine Estate in Stellenbosch and 15 On Orange, the flagship Cape Town hotel for African Pride Luxury Hotel group. He returned to the UK in May 2011 to help establish Hermitage Rd. bar and restaurant for the family business.

James Nye, managing director of ACI said: "I'm very excited to have my brother contributing at a group level within the business. Howard's creative ideas and management style have been instrumental in making Hermitage Rd. the success it is today and look forward to seeing his influence throughout the rest of the ACI sites."

ACI will has a total of six sites including:

• The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk
• The Jolly Sailors, Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk
• The Fox, Willian, Hertfordshire
• Hermitage Rd Bar & Restaurant, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
• Water Lane Bar & Restaurant, Bishops Stortford (opening April 2014)
• Brancaster Brewery, a five-barrel microbrewery