Hand Picked Hotels recruits Channel Islands sales and marketing director

Monday 29 June 2015

Hand Picked Hotels has appointed Suzanne Kirk as director of sales and marketing for the Channel Islands Collection.

Ms Kirk, who has over 30 years’ industry experience, will oversee the marketing and sales operations at Hand Picked’s three Channel Island properties; Grand Jersey, L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa and Saint Pierre Park Hotel & Golf Resort in Guernsey.

Chief executive officer at Hand Picked, Julie Hands, said: "Suzanne is a highly experienced marketing professional with a proven track record of success at developing key premium brands in the UK, Ireland and Europe. Suzanne’s knowledge of local businesses and the Channel Islands, combined with her customer-centric approach, will not only help build first-class client relationships, but also develop solutions that deliver exceptional results for clients."

In her new role, Suzanne will be responsible for providing strategic direction to promote the Hand Picked Channel Islands Collection within the Channel Islands, UK and abroad. This will involve providing a structured, managed and cohesive focus and approach to sales, marketing and communications, with a particular focus on client service and promoting the unique appeal of the three hotel properties.   

"I am delighted to be joining Hand Picked during such an exciting period of growth. The introduction of Grand Jersey to the group’s Channel Islands offering in 2014 means that corporates now have access to three unique properties with great personalities, covering solutions to all accommodation, entertainment and events needs. It is my aim to make Hand Picked the hotel group of choice in the Channel Islands, and you can trust us to deliver, whatever the occasion or budget," added Ms Kirk.

Ms Kirk has held a number of high profile positions, including working for Liverpool Football Club in the 1990s, where she helped launch the Centenary Stand, International Supporters Club and LFC Direct. She also worked for the original Dragons Den panel member, Rachel Elnaugh, as corporate and event strategic development sales and marketing manager at events business, Red Letter Days.

Suzanne was born in the UK and moved to Jersey in 2011 to work as head of sales and marketing at Ytel and Homenet. She holds a BTEC HNC in Business Studies and Finance and is currently studying for the CIM Advanced Diploma in Marketing. She lives with her partner, Simon, in Jersey and enjoys following Formula 1, football, and socialising with friends in her spare time.