Marcus O'Leary appointed general manager of the Nici

Marcus O'Leary has been appointed general manager of the Nici in Bournemouth, which launched last summer.

The property opened following a £26m investment in its first phase of refurbishment, which transformed the former Savoy hotel into an 84-bedroom, five-star hotel with access to an indoor cinema and garden hot tubs.

O'Leary will be tasked with overseeing the hotel's expansion plans, which include the addition of a 30m outdoor swimming pool, a spa, a fitness suite and holiday cottages, due to be completed this spring.

During his 30-year career in international hospitality, he has worked as vice-president of resort operations at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, where he managed resort experiences in Hawaii, Phuket, Aruba, St Kitts, Bali and 50 sites in mainland US.

He spent the last two years leading the team at Iconic Luxury Hotel's Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds.

O'Leary said: "I am so excited to join the Nici, applying my international and luxury experience to this new five-star brand. The Nici is already being recognised as one of the UK's most exciting new hotel concepts, bringing new energy to this beautiful stretch of coastline on the south coast.

"Our intention is to create a year-round destination hotel, bringing the best global inspiration to the UK."

Eldon James, managing director of the Nici, added: "We are delighted to welcome Marcus to the Nici; he joins us at a crucial time, as we enter the next phase of our five-star development – creating the UK's most exciting new destination resort. Marcus' experience and expertise will no doubt ensure that we create a guest experience like no other."