Paul Skinner to join Gravetye Manor as general manager

Paul Skinner is to take over as general manager at Gravetye Manor in West Sussex from 28 March.

He will take the reins from Andrew Thomason, who is stepping down from the role to retire at the age of 67 after 10 years at the property.

Skinner was previously general manager at Dukes hotel in London, which he joined in 2019, and spoke to The Caterer about maintaining the hotel with a skeleton team during lockdown.

Prior to Dukes he worked as director of operations at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower, director of rooms at the Langham, London, and food and beverage manager at the Athenaeum.

Skinner said it was an "honour and a privilege" to be joining Gravetye Manor. "I am very much looking forward to embracing this wonderful opportunity and supporting the team going forward to ensure we continue to provide exceptional country manor hospitality," he added.

Gravetye Manor was built in 1598 and features 35 acres of gardens and a Michelin-starred restaurant, led by executive chef George Blogg.

Elizabeth Hosking, owner of Gravetye Manor, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming Paul to the team at Gravetye. Andrew Thomason has done a fantastic job over the last decade, re-establishing the hotel as one of the best, and has created a strong base for Paul to start from.

"We are confident that Paul possesses the skills and experience required to take the manor into the next chapter of its story and to face the challenges ahead."