James Doyle

One of Newcastle's top hotels, Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter, has appointed a new general manager to oversee the next phase of growth.

James Doyle, 39, has been appointed to the role with a personal ambition to make the hotel the undisputed No1 venue on Tyneside.

The seven-storey, 251-bed hotel is owned by Clouston Group, while trading under a management contract with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). The hotel is proving to be a key driver in the regeneration of the Stephenson Quarter, which Clouston Group believes will create 3,000 jobs once the mixed-use development is complete.

James, who has 21 years' experience in the hotels sector, is originally from Hayling Island, near Portsmouth, and has extensive experience working within IHG hotels. He started his career at Crowne Plaza Heathrow and worked in various Holiday Inns becoming general manager at Holiday Inn Whitechapel - London where he oversaw the hotel's opening and development, prior to relocating to Newcastle.