Jan. 4, 2016, Victoria, BC – Suzanne Gatrell has launched her new hospitality management company, Kingsbridge Management Ltd., and announced her first client, Victoria, BC’s Oswego Hotel.
Effectively immediately, Gatrell takes over the full management contract of a hotel she has been overseeing as general manager for seven years. Prior to joining the Oswego, Gatrell began her hospitality career in England working for well known chains and brands like Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and Holland America Line. It was during her tenure with the UK’s Gidleigh Park Hotel, a Relais & Chateaux with a two Michelin star restaurant, that she fell in love with smaller, boutique properties. A move to Canada to work with a sister Relais & Chateaux property, Inn at Manitou, had her fall in love with Canada.
“I have been lucky that my 28-year career has allowed me to train in all aspects of hospitality management, from working in food and beverage, to being a director of rooms, to heading up a sales and marketing team and successfully working with a strata property like the Oswego,” says Gatrell.
Gatrell took over management of the Oswego during the 2008 recession and it was struggling. She then led a turn around that has made it one of the most successful strata hotels in British Columbia. A strong believer of promoting from within, Gatrell has worked with local hospitality schools to build her team, and involved the Oswego with the community, sponsoring the Conservatory of Music and events like Victoria’s Pride Parade. She is active on the board of directors for Tourism Victoria and is passionate about co-chairing Artemis Place for Girls, an integrated counselling and educational program which provides a unique alternative to traditional school for 15 – 19-year-old girls.
While her immediate focus will be ensuring the transition for the Oswego to Kingsbridge Management Ltd. is as smooth as possible, Gatrell will begin looking for other hotel management opportunities in Canada, US, and UK.
“My future clients are owners of boutique properties who like their independence and enjoy knowing their hotel is an important player within the local community,” says Gatrell. “I see lots of opportunities here on Vancouver Island, where for the Oswego we have built a strong repeat visitor base among the government, corporate and leisure markets who look for hi-touch, personalized service within the heart of a vibrant community.”
With headquarters in Victoria, BC, Kingsbridge Management Ltd, is a new full-service management company specializing in operating independent, small hotels in Canada, the US and UK.
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