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Appointment Food & Beverage

Zibi Klapsia has been appointed as Executive Chef at voco Zeal Exeter Science Park by IHG

Zeal Hotels has appointed Zibi Klapsia as the executive chef at the award-winning voco Zeal Exeter Science Park. The hire was made shortly after the hotel was named as IHG Hotels & Resorts' 2025 Opening of the Year.

voco Hotels
Exeter, United Kingdom
Unnamed (78)

voco Zeal Exeter Science Park was developed with the aim of creating a lifecycle net-zero carbon hotel that served as a positive example for the sector. This commitment extends beyond the building itself to its operations, with a particular focus on food and beverage, where Klapsia's knowledge will be key.

Klapsia joins the group from Accor, where he was an executive chef working across some of the South West's most respected hotels and restaurants, including Michelin-starred experience at Gidleigh Park in addition to leadership roles at The Headland Hotel, Imperial Hotel Torquay, Buckfast Abbey and Mercure Paignton.

Zeal Hotels is looking to build on the success of voco Zeal Exeter Science Park and is exploring opportunities to develop further sustainable hotels in strategic locations across the UK.

Food & Beverage Europe United Kingdom Exeter
voco Hotels
Hotel Brand

Drawing on our years of experience in delivering True Hospitality, voco Hotels, gives people a different choice. Hotels that are reliable enough to depend on, but different enough to be fun. Our new family of hotels are connected by their individual characters, that make memorable travel dependable. Unstuffy hotels, where people feel comfortable to relax, and just get on with relaxing. Hotels that stand out from the crowd.

Zeal Hotels
Hotel GroupManagement Company

Established in 2012, Zeal Hotels has the specific aim of acquiring strategic hotel sites, developing the hotels and maintaining ownership of the assets. Motivated to reduce a hotel’s carbon emissions through the construction process, as well as operations, Zeal Hotels has launched a new brand, targeting carbon net zero, with the first UK site acquired at Exeter Science Park to be operated under a franchise agreement with IHG.