Birmingham based Nitenite hotel appoints new general manager

BIRMINGHAM’S Japanese-style ‘pod’ hotel Nitenite has appointed a new general manager.

Lee Alibone, who has previously worked for Hilton Group and the Sketchley Grange Hotel, will undertake day-to-day leadership of the property and will be responsible for raising Nitenite’s profile following its recent takeover.

The Nitenite hotel was one of Europe’s first ‘pod’ hotels with more than 100 windowless rooms. The hotel was put up for sale in August 2011 after its parent company, Nitenite Holdings, entered administration.

The hotel was brought by a local property entrepreneur Harj Mattu in March. 

Alibone brings more than 11 years’ experience working in the hospitality industry, starting his career at the Hilton Leicester before moving onto the Sketchley Grange Hotel in Hinckley. 

Commenting on his new role, he said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Nitenite team. It’s an extremely exciting time for the brand with its recent buy-out and plans for expansion.”

Rural Innovation Centre brings in new manager

A CENTRE designed to help new and small rural businesses thrive has opened its doors – to its new manager.

The Rural Innovation Centre, based at Stoneleigh Park, has been created to support small firms in rural areas of Warwickshire as part of a major initiative to boost the rural economy.

Liz Burkinshaw has been appointed to run the centre, which is one of five similar projects across England. The project is designed to create 500 jobs and assist 120 start-up businesses in rural Warwickshire.

The 34-year-old, who lives in Leamington, is heading up the new centre after a decade working for the NHS.

“This is a fantastic project,” she said. “The building has been transformed into a cutting-edge centre for new and small businesses, complete with a range of support services, meeting rooms and ultra-fast broadband.

“We have created what we hope will be the perfect environment for new and growing businesses. They can be in any sector but the owners or managers have to be based in the rural areas.”

European growth the target following Oakland International promotion

SPECIALIST food distributor Oakland International has announced the appointment of Edith Hurst-Earl to the post of European customer support and development manager based.

The move is part of the Redditch firm’s expansion plans and will add strength to the management support team.

Hurst-Earl, who joined Oakland in 2008, previously held the post of customer support executive. She will be tasked with relationship management in the UK and Ireland, with a specific European client focus designed to drive growth primarily in France and Germany.

The firm’s managing director Dean Attwell said: “Oakland International is keen to support and develop existing associations and relationships as a key European strategic growth partner for food producers in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, and Edith’s appointment is pivotal to this going forward.”