Corus & Regal appoints chief

Corus & Regal Hotels has appointed Rob Baldry to the newly-created position of head of marketing.

He will have overall responsibility for both corporate and leisure marketing activities and will oversee the group’s recently-launched website.

Baldry, who joined Corus & Regal two years ago, was previously leisure marketing manager for the hotel chain.

The group operates 64 Regal hotels, including the flagship Plaza at Hyde Park in London, and 26 Corus three-star properties across the country.

Baldry says: “We will concentrate on pushing the two brands into the mid-market hotel sector where there are opportunities to make a difference and become a stronger player.”

He adds that there are no plans to review the company’s advertising arrangements. Surrey-based agency Zest Too handles the group’s creative work, and Sherrard Media handles media buying. He refused to say how much the accounts are worth.

As well as continuing to run regular campaigns in the national and business press, Baldry intends to invest more money in e-commerce and direct marketing over the coming year.

The company was mooted as a possible buyer for Granada Compass’ Forte hotel division at the end of last year. Baldry refuses to comment on any expansion or acquisition plans but admits the group is keen to expand the Corus brand, which was launched two years ago.