Mourad Ben Tekfa joins the Seren Collection from Belmond Le Manoir

Mourad Ben Tekfa has joined the Seren Collection as director of restaurants after 18 years at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons.

Tekfa joins the privately owned group of hospitality venues by the sea in South West Wales, after holding the position of restaurant director at Raymond Blanc's two-Michelin-star Oxfordshire property. He has more than 20 years' experience working within Michelin-starred establishment and holds a Master of Culinary Arts Award.

In his new role, Mourad will support the group's business leaders to ensure that the highest standards of service and guest experience are delivered across the collection's four restaurants which include the Michelin-starred Beach House Restaurant on the Gower Peninsular and the Coast Restaurant in Saundersfoot.

His appointment follows the group's announcement last week of Thomas Agius Ferrante's promotion to hotel director at the four-red-AA-star, 25-bedroom hotel Grove of Narberth hotel in Pembrokeshire.

Mourad will join the group's owners Neil and Zoe Kedward, on the newly formed executive management board for the collection.

Managing director of the Seren Collection Neil Kedward said: "We all need great people around us and so we are delighted to have Mourad by our side.

"The loyalty he has shown to Le Manoir over so many years is rare to see, and he has delivered at the highest level for so long. His contribution to Raymond Blanc's vision and the wider sector in terms of people development is enormous.

"With so many exciting plans for the future, Mourad is the perfect restaurant professional to help us make them a reality."

Tekfa said he was "thrilled" to have accepted the position and added: "The team has already achieved many accolades, and I have witnessed first-hand the excellence of service within the restaurants. I am looking forward to helping the collection build on this success in beautiful South West Wales."