January 26, 2017

Christopher Wayne-Wills has been appointed as General Manager at The Midland Hotel

QHotels has announced the appointment of Christopher Wayne-Wills as general manager of its flagship five-silver-AA-star, 312-bedroom Midland hotel in Manchester. Wayne-Wills has replaced Michael Magrane, who left the hotel after 11 years to move to London as operations director of GLH Hotels. He has joined the hotel from QHotels’ Slaley Hall property near Hexham, Northumberland, where he was also general manager. Earlier roles include regional managing director for Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, in Scotland and the north west of England, and general manager of the Manchester Piccadilly hotel. He has also previously held the position of chairman of the Edinburgh Hotels Association. Wayne-Wills has joined the Midland at a time of change following the recent departure of chef Simon Rogan, who previously oversaw the hotel’s two restaurants, the French and Mr Cooper’s House and Gardens, and bedroom refurbishments planned for this year. Next month will see the launch of Adam Reid at the French, while the Tea Room at the Midland will open in April. Wayne-Wills said that it was “a privilege to be asked to lead an exceptional team” at what he described as Manchester’s most loved hotel. “Having been away from Manchester for a few years it has been a real pleasure to see how the hotel has continued to develop but also how the city has changed and grown in that time, particularly the hotel and restaurant sector.” Wayne-Willis said that the Midland is “a world famous, award-winning business”, with a clear and strategic investment plan. “Most importantly, we have listened to our guests and customers to ensure we respect the history and traditions of the hotel, whilst evolving what we can offer in order to retain our position as the top hotel in the city.” Michael Purtill, managing director of QHotels, added: “We understand the importance of the Midland Hotel to Manchester and the responsibility of the role of general manager, so Christopher was a natural appointment. Not only does he have significant experience of prestigious resort and city centre hotels, he has previous experience of the Manchester market. We’ve now worked together at QHotels and previously at Paramount Hotels, where he was deputy general manager at our hotel in Edinburgh, so it feels like we have come full circle.” Owners by Sankaty Advisors and Canyon Capital Advisors, QHotels operates 26 hotels across the UK.

Christopher Wayne-Wills is an alumnus of Cornell | Executive and Professional Education – Class of 2009.

General Management Europe United Kingdom Manchester