A North West hotel group has appointed a new director with longstanding family connections to its board.

English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues has appointed Ben Berry as the group’s new sales and purchasing director to help develop its business across its five venues in Cumbria and North Lancashire.

Ben represents the fifth generation of his family to be involved in the business at a senior executive level.  The hotel group has been in the Berry family for over 60 years, with Ben’s father Simon currently at the helm as managing director.  Ben also joins his uncle, Tim Berry, as a director.

The family business was originally established as a successful law firm by Robert Buckley, who passed the baton on to his son Norman.  The family entered the hotel business in the 1950s when its first venue, Low Wood Bay, was bought.  Michael Berry, Norman’s nephew and Ben’s grandfather, joined the group in 1972 and became managing director in 1974.

Ben Berry has worked for the hotel group as an executive since 2011 and prior to that held various posts across its venues, including roles in sales, reservations and the health club and watersports centre at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, now the Lake District’s first luxury resort hotel.

He has also worked in the retail sector for both Booths in Windermere and All:Sports in Kendal and is a local councillor.

Ben Berry says:  “It’s a fantastic honour to be asked to become sales and purchasing director and I feel proud and privileged that the board has the faith in my abilities, insight and skill set to make the appointment.

“I’m looking forward to the new role and working together with the board to develop activities and opportunities across our venues.”

Douglas Dale, a fellow director of English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues who worked with Ben’s grandfather, says: “We are thrilled that Ben has joined the board.  He is a superb advocate for the group and his appointment reflects his hard work, commitment and dedication.

“His experience of working across the group will also be an invaluable asset in both our current operations and our future planning.”

For further information about English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues visit: englishlakes.co.uk