Highbullen Hotel appoints Ronnie Orr as Resort Director

3rd February 2015. Highbullen Hotel, Golf and Country Club is today announcing the appointment of Ronnie Orr as Resort Director.

Ronnie is already in post, having joined the team in November, and is focused on developing all aspects of the guest experience throughout the Resort as plans to grow the existing business continue.

Since being bought by new owner and property entrepreneur Frank Chapman in 2013, the hotel has undergone a significant transformation, with £5 million being invested in improvements across the estate.

All 37 rooms have been modernised and redesigned; the Devon View Restaurant has been re-launched as a fine dining establishment; sports facilities have been upgraded including seven new, all weather, tennis courts; a new luxury suite has just been opened and, most significantly, a state of the art conference and party venue suitable for 400 guests called The Palazzo was completed last November. Infrastructure changes have been made, and a new hotel team put in place to ensure Highbullen takes its place as a leading hotel in Devon.

Ronnie’s role will be to make sure Highbullen reaps the rewards of these investments and that it becomes a leading UK country house hotel, making the most of its leisure and conference offerings. He will also be overseeing further developments planned for the hotel in 2015/16, details of which are to be announced in the coming months.

Ronnie joins Highbullen from the Berkshire based Vineyard Group, which operates a number of owned and managed hotels throughout the country including the 5 Red Star Vineyard at Stockcross. As Operations Director since 2010, his role included directing the group’s managed hotel division, including Sonoma Hotels, a group of seven hotels located throughout England.

Ronnie also has hands-on experience as General Manager at many hotels and resorts, including the Loch Rannoch and Forest Hills Resorts in the mid-90s, which were owned and operated by Mr Chapman during the 70s and 80s.

“I am delighted to be joining Highbullen at such an exciting point in its history and development,” comments Ronnie Orr. “So much has changed over the past two years and the current team has done a superb job in reinvigorating this much loved hotel and giving it a new style and lease of life.

“My role is to see the hotel continue to perform at this level, and go on to even bigger and better things. Frank Chapman’s investment has really put Highbullen on the map, it is a key location in North Devon and this will only grow as we continue to transform the hotel. I look forward to guiding the hotel and our team through the next phase of development and to showing our guests just what Highbullen is all about.”

“I think Ronnie is just the right fit for the job at Highbullen,” adds Mr Chapman, owner. “He is a hotel man through and through. His years as a GM at resort based hotels ensures he knows the logistical workings of a property like this, whilst his more recent experience in operations and multi-site management will be invaluable as we continue to invest and develop the Highbullen Estate.”

Following the initial refurbishment programme, the next phase of development will include a new luxury spa development and an exciting programme to deliver new tree houses, apartments, hotel suites and holiday homes to the resort: a plan that will bring new employment opportunities and substantial inward investment into the local economy.