Six Senses London has unveiled its leadership team ahead of its opening in March.
The property will see the former Whiteley department store in Bayswater transformed into 109 guestrooms and suites, 14 Six Senses Residences, a Six Senses Spa, members’ club Six Senses Place London, and a collection of food and beverage outlets.
The launch of the UK’s first Six Senses hotel is being led by general manager Nick Yarnell, who brings more than 30 years of experience in luxury hospitality.
He previously oversaw the opening of Six Senses Douro Valley and currently serves as regional general manager for Europe, following several years with Four Seasons.
He is supported by a 300-strong team, including Taffryn Kinsey-Ellis as director of wellness and Charlotte Pulver, a seventh-generation medical herbalist, as head alchemist, who will lead workshops at the basement Alchemy Bar.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s programming and community initiatives are being led by Nico Eden, director of Six Senses Place—the brand’s first private members’ club—and Ailsa Kerr, director of programming.
On the ground floor, Whiteley’s Kitchen, Bar, and Café will be overseen by executive chef Eliano Crespi and Six Senses’ first fermentation expert, Jelena Belgrave. Together, they will collaborate with local farms across the UK to highlight seasonal, modern British cuisine.
Other key appointments include Patrick Jones as director of sustainability; Antoine Gaillard as director of food and beverage; Stefan Mueller as director of sales and marketing; Jatin Shastri as director of marketing and communications; Astrid Deppisch as director of revenue; Claire Frost as director of human resources; Etienne Romestaing as director of rooms; Ruairi McDowell as chief concierge; Ido Shitrit as director of engineering and safety; and Sarah Tromans as regional director of finance.
Yarnell said: “In all my years working in hospitality, this is the most talented team I have worked with. What makes this opening particularly meaningful is that everyone has joined organically, drawn to the values and culture we are building at Six Senses London.”
Six Senses London is set to open on 1 March, becoming the group’s 26th property worldwide.